15 May: Ukrainians Unleash ATACMS for a Massive Strike on Russian Forces Concentrations in Kupiansk - Reporting from UKR

[TexasTowelie]

Day 812: May 15

Today, there is a lot of news from the Kupiansk direction.

After a period of reduced activity, Russian forces have once again intensified their offensive operations across multiple vectors in this direction. This shift follows a failed offensive in the Liman region, which resulted in the collapse of the Russian bridgehead there. Rested and regrouped, the Russian troops are now concentrating their efforts on Kupiansk. According to Kharkiv Oblast Head Oleh Synehubov, Russian forces periodically focus on different sectors along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line to identify weaknesses in the Ukrainian defenses. Their primary focus is on the Kyslivka and Kotliarivka areas, both southeast of Kupiansk.

In addition, Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported that elements of the Russian 47th Tank Division completed their regrouping from Liman to Kupiansk and pointed out that most units of the 47th Tank Division are now deployed in positions close to Yahidne.

Following more than a month of positional battles, Russian forces resumed their offensive operations towards Kyslivka. After several days of intense bombardment, Russian troops secured control over the elevated areas along the railway, leading to the capture of the first houses in Kyslivka. Ukrainian officers reported that Russian forces reinforced their assault units with additional equipment and fresh convict recruits, renewing their regional operations. The latest reports indicate that Russian forces managed to take full control over the rest of the settlement, which suggests that Ukrainian forces are dealing with shortages of material and personnel in a hotspot that previously they were able to hold for more than a year.

The Russian offensive effort then aimed to expand their area of operation by attacking Stelmakhivka. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. The Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky, noted recently that Russian forces concentrated their primary efforts, among other hot points, over Stelmakhivka and indicated that Russian troops made limited gains. Syrsky stated that Russian forces are attempting to exploit their advantages in airpower, missiles, and artillery to reach the administrative borders of Luhansk Oblast. Geolocated footage recently released shows a Russian assault over a Ukrainian position in a tree line close to Stelmakhivka. The Russian infantry approached the position at high speed on two Chinese-made Desert-cross “one thousand” vehicles, also known as “golf cars.” The infantry unloaded and started to storm the position among heavy defensive fire. The video is inconclusive about the result of this particular assault, but the position was marked later as a marginal gain for the Russian forces.

Regarding the northern part of the direction, as Russian forces redeployed some detachments to the Kharkiv offensive, Ukrainian troops capitalized on this by improving their positions near Synkivka, northeast of Kupiansk. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces had to retreat slightly from Synkivka due to personnel shortages, indicating that elements of the 6th Combined Arms Army had been pulled from the area.

In recently released footage geolocated west of the village of Liman Pershy, Ukrainian border guards are seen operating mortars with extreme precision. The footage captures the guards methodically preparing and firing mortar rounds at Russian infantry positions. The last part of the video shows a pinpoint cluster munition attack over the Russian infantry, just close to the railway line.

An additional video also from the village of Liman Pershy shows Ukrainian tank units engaging in combat from a closed firing position. The video captures the tank crew coordinating and executing the destruction of a Russian shelter, a makeshift hut used for cover by Russian forces. The tank, positioned behind natural cover, fires a high-explosive round, obliterating the target. The resulting explosion sends debris flying, demonstrating the effective use of armored firepower to neutralize enemy positions and fortifications.

A third video includes graphic scenes on drone operations by the 57th Army Brigade, showcasing its advanced drone capabilities...

[niyad]

1. Slava Ukraini. Thank you for the update.