The Russian troops were unable to accomplish the task of capturing Pokrovsk and Kupiansk within the deadlines set by their command. This was stated by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, following a meeting with leaders of the defense and security sectors.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Assessment of the situation at the front
During the meeting, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, reported on the situation in the most threatening areas of the front, as well as on Russia’s military plans and the timelines anticipated by the occupying command. According to President Zelensky, Russia once again failed to capture Pokrovsk and Kupiansk within the deadlines set by Putin, and these deadlines have been postponed once again.
“Kyrylo Budanov (head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense – ed.) reported on the situation in the threatening areas of the front, on Russia’s military preparations, and the timelines anticipated by the occupiers. Currently, Russia has failed another deadline set by Putin for the capture of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, and the timelines have once again been postponed. Oleg Ivashchenko (head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine – ed.) reported on the political situation in Russia, the sentiments in their society, and the environment surrounding the aggressor state’s leader, as well as on the economic situation. Conclusions have been drawn,” noted Zelensky.
Further strategy for the defense of Ukraine
The President also announced that the participants of the meeting identified the main directions for Ukraine’s defensive actions in the coming weeks and decided to supplement the defense plan for the winter period. According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian units are attempting to establish themselves in the residential areas of the Pokrovsk-Myrnograd agglomeration in Donetsk region. Meanwhile, as of the evening of November 15, there have been no reports of any successes by Russian forces in Kupiansk.
Since the beginning of autumn, the Russian army has intensified shelling of Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, which is crucial for providing gas to the population during the heating season.