Fedorenko spoke about Russians' plans for Ukraine’s Independence Day: details

The Russian occupiers are attempting to bypass Kupiansk to force Ukrainian defenders to abandon the city, but these intentions are being blocked by Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Ccommander of the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems “Achilles” Yurii Fedorenko said this during a broadcast on Radio NV.

“Since the enemy is unable to push through Kupiansk-Left Bank and unable to advance around the area of the settlement of Kruhliakivka, they’ve adopted the tactic of bypassing Kupiansk from the northwestern outskirts. That is, to go around without entering the city itself, take under fire control our routes of movement — in particular, toward the crossings and then to the left bank — and in this way encircle and force the Defense Forces to leave the city of Kupiansk,” Fedorenko reported.

At the same time, Ukraine’s Defense Forces, aware of the enemy’s intentions, have blocked the occupiers. Over the past 14 days, the Russian invaders have not managed to advance a single meter. Ukrainian defenders are also taking certain measures to improve the situation and restore positions where possible, and are strengthening the frontline. Meanwhile, the invaders are trying to infiltrate between Ukrainian combat formations without engaging in direct combat.

However, due to the densification of defenses and control of the area using drones, it has been possible to inflict fire damage and prevent the enemy from executing their desired plans. Fedorenko stated:

“They would very much like to, by August 24 — Ukraine’s Independence Day — raise that rag, the flag of the Russian Federation, somewhere near the city of Kupiansk.”

According to him, the Russian occupiers aim to capture Kupiansk in order to gain control over railway logistics. Fedorenko emphasizes that the enemy will continue active combat operations in Kharkiv region.

In his view, the occupiers need to “increase their presence” in order to later claim not only Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions and Crimea on the international stage, but also Kharkiv.

“Moreover, confirming my words, we remember very well — two or three weeks ago, Putin made a statement in which he said the issue wasn’t limited to the listed regions, but also concerned buffer zones. That means that Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and other regions bordering Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson are also in the danger zone. In other words, he’s already laid the groundwork for continuing offensive and assault operations here as well,” Fedorenko believes.

According to him, the enemy’s sole intent is the destruction of Ukrainian statehood, not just the seizure of four regions and Crimea.

“This is about full occupation of Ukraine’s territory. That’s what the enemy is striving for. And that’s precisely why they are conducting aerial terror — because things aren’t working out for them at the front,” Fedorenko says.