Russians fail to expand control zone along border – military spox

This was stated on television by Viktor Trehubov, Head of the Communications Department of the Joint Forces Grouping, Ukrinform reports.

“They have a mission. The task is essentially to create a control zone along the entire Russian-Ukrainian border. Practically, this means pushing the border into Ukrainian territory,” Trehubov said.

According to him, a control zone is defined as a territory from which the enemy cannot inflict damage, but currently this is impossible.

“Right now, it is simply not possible because Ukrainians have the corresponding weapons that can reach that distance,” he explained.

Trehubov added that the Russians have only partially advanced in a very narrow area.

“If you look at the map, this has only succeeded in one very narrow section – the Velykoburlutskyi direction… but it’s really just a tiny patch,” the JFG spokesperson emphasized.

He also noted that along the entire border, the enemy operates in small units.

“They are trying to create this security zone along the entire border… probing in small groups, maybe hoping Ukrainian troops have relaxed somewhere,” Trehubov said.

At the same time, he emphasized that Ukrainian forces are keeping the situation under control.

“In principle, Ukrainians are not relaxing now, so there are no significant successes for the Russians here,” Trehubov stressed.

He also commented on the situation in Hrabovske.

“Unfortunately, in Hrabovske the Russians have dug in fairly densely. They cannot conduct active offensive actions from there simply because on the other side Ukrainian forces are well-prepared,” the spokesperson said.

Trehubov also confirmed the expansion of the Ukrainian strike zone.

“Where Ukrainian forces are directly on the state border, the strike zone is now generally 20 to 40 kilometers. Well, maybe a little less right now… but roughly that. This means that it’s not just reaching Belgorod – it flies over Belgorod,” he noted.

As Ukrinform reported, on January 21, 154 combat engagements took place between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops, with the invaders exerting the greatest pressure on the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions

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