UK intelligence analyses growing pressure by Russian troops on Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast

UK Defence Intelligence has noted the growing pressure of Russian forces on the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.

: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 17 November on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

: "Russian forces have increased offensive pressure on Kupiansk city, Kharkiv region in north-eastern Ukraine. On 13 November 2024, Russian forces likely attempted to infiltrate Kupiansk from the northeast," the update says.

UK intelligence noted that Russian troops had reached the Oskil River south of Kupiansk, breaking Ukrainian logistics lines on the eastern bank of the river.

The Russian grouping south of Kupiansk is gradually expanding as Russia tries to increase pressure on Ukrainian forces in the area, UK intelligence added.

The update stated that the Ukrainian government had ordered the evacuation of Kupiansk and its surrounding areas on 15 October 2024. According to the Kupiansk civil and military administration, approximately 4,000 civilians remain in the area, a significant decrease from its pre-war population of 27,000.

"Kupiansk is important as it serves as a transportation intersection and logistics hub. The Ukrainians regained control of Kupiansk in September 2022," the update stressed.

:

Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre indicates that Russia is amassing troops to try to push Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk Oblast in the coming weeks or months.

UK intelligence has previously noted that Russia was continuing to exert pressure in Donetsk Oblast and was maintaining significant forces there, which has led to the latest successes in this area of the war zone.

UP or becomeour patron!

The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star to a female airman for the first time following her role in the shootdown of more than 80 Iranian drones that were part of Iran's large missile and drone attack on Israel in mid-April. The historic award of the nation's third-highest award for valor to a female airman comes at a time when the role of women in ground combat units has been front and center because of critical comments made by Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the next defense secretary. Capt. Lacie "Sonic" Hester, an F-15E instructor weapons systems officer, is the first Air Force woman to receive the Silver Star and only the 10th female service member ever to receive the award.

U.S. Muslim leaders who supported Republican Donald Trump to protest against the Biden administration's support for Israel's war on Gaza and attacks on Lebanon have been deeply disappointed by his cabinet picks, they tell Reuters. "Trump won because of us and we're not happy with his secretary of state pick and others," said Rabiul Chowdhury, a Philadelphia investor who chaired the Abandon Harris campaign in Pennsylvania and co-founded Muslims for Trump. Muslim support for Trump helped him win Michigan and may have factored into other swing state wins, strategists believe.