Russia is concentrating over 100,000 personnel on eastern Kupiansk front – Eastern Forces Group

Russia has gathered more than 100,000 soldiers of its occupation forces on the Lyman-Kupiansk axis, which nearly equals the number of forces in Afghanistan. 

The enemy has gathered a very powerful group of forces – more than 100,000 personnel, over 900 tanks, over 555 artillery systems, and 370 multiple-launch rocket systems – on the Lyman-Kupiansk axis, says Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesperson of the Easter Forces Group.

For context, Russia deployed 120,000 personnel in Afghanistan at the height of its campaign there.

Russia has consolidated its air assault units, its best motorised infantry units, private military companies [on the Lyman-Kupiansk axis], and has deployed territorial forces as reserves there.

Cherevatyi stressed that Ukrainian soldiers are holding the line and preventing Russian forces from taking the initiative in the area.

During this day, the enemy fired at us 543 times with various systems and artillery, carried out 14 air raids and 7 assaults. In the course of defense, 40 occupants were killed, 103 were wounded. Also, 3 tanks, 4 infantry fighting vehicles, an Msta-B cannon, a mortar and 2 drones were destroyed, added Cherevatyi.

Russia is attempting to gain ground in the Kupiansk area and continue the offensive into the depth of Ukraine's battle formations, says Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

At the same time, he said that Russia is moving more troops into the area around Bakhmut, to try to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing.

Bakhmut is one of the areas where Ukraine has been trying to advance during the ongoing counteroffensive that kicked off around June 5.