Russian-declared 'truce' not being felt, no change in combat dynamics – military spox

Russian forces have resumed attempts to infiltrate Kupiansk and destroy the Ukrainian bridgehead on the left bank of the Oskil River. However, all of their efforts have been unsuccessful, and there is currently no immediate threat to Kupiansk itself.

Viktor Trehubov, a lieutenant colonel and spokesperson for the Joint Forces Task Force, said this on Ukrainian Radio, according to Ukrinform.

He confirmed that despite the "truce" announced by the Russians, fighting on the ground continues, with no noticeable changes in the dynamics of combat operations.

According to the officer, the tactic of infiltrating with small groups has remained the enemy's primary approach for more than a year. However, all such groups are being destroyed either on the outskirts of the city or inside it.

"It is now obvious that this has taken on the characteristics of a fetish for them. They have fought so hard for Kupiansk and so often claimed they had already 'captured' it that the city itself has become a kind of PR object for the Russian military. At this point, it is less about strategic value and more about making Putin look slightly less like an idiot in the eyes of the international community," Trehubov added.

When asked whether the Russian-declared "truce," which was supposed to begin at midnight, could be felt in the Kupiansk sector, he said that fighting on the ground was continuing unabated.

"It [the "truce"] is not being felt in any way whatsoever. If we are talking about events directly on the ground, combat operations have continued without interruption. In principle, it is still too early for me to say, because intelligence data is only now coming in, but so far, we are not seeing any particular change in the dynamics," Trehubov said.

Photo: Viktor Trehubov / Facebook