President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares that the defensive line of the Ukrainian defense in the Kharkiv region is very good.
Is there a threat of Russian occupation of Kupyansk?
Zelensky said in Kyiv at a joint press conference with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, Italy, Georgia Maloney, and Canada, Justin Trudeau, that the defensive line of Ukrainian defense in the Kharkiv region is very good.
In particular, a Belgian journalist on behalf of the mayor of Kupyansk asked Zelensky whether he agrees with the mayor's opinion that the West should stop making promises and urgently provide weapons now, before it's too late.
Do I agree? It is clear to everyone that the defense support provided to us is important for it to arrive on time. There are delays, said Zelensky.
The head of state emphasized that help is needed both in Kupyansk and in the Kharkiv region as a whole.
But I want to tell you and remind the mayor that the real defense line in the Kharkiv region is very, very good. Thanks to our people, but also thanks to the defense support of our partners. And this should not be forgotten. After all, every day takes away people, and therefore the nervousness and such mood of the mayor's messages are understandable. But we should also be grateful that we are not alone against such an enemy. And we must not forget about it either. Volodymyr Zelenskyi
Volodymyr Zelenskyi
President of Ukraine
The Russians are trying to take advantage of the moment of weakness of the Armed Forces on the battlefield
The team of the American Institute for the Study of War concluded that as of February 19, the Russian army is conducting at least 3 offensive operations:
along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, in particular in the direction of Kupyansk and Lyman;
in and around Avdiivka;
near Robotiny in the west of the Zaporizhzhia region.
According to experts, the Russians' decision to move forward was heavily influenced by a significant delay in the provision of Western security assistance.
What is important to understand is that it is primarily about artillery ammunition and critical air defense systems.
It was the lack of this weaponry that forced the Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw from Avdiivka.
A critical shortage of Western-provided equipment and fears of a complete end to US military aid have forced Ukrainian forces to disperse equipment across the front, likely encouraging Russian forces to take advantage of the situation.
