Almost like in Afghanistan: Russia has deployed more than 100,000 soldiers in the Lyman-Kupyansk sector

Russia has concentrated a powerful grouping of more than 100,000 troops on the Lyman-Kupyansk direction. This is approximately the same number of troops deployed by Soviet troops at the peak of the war in Afghanistan.

This was announced by a representative of the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhiy Cherevaty, during a telethon. He noted that the occupiers attempted to storm this section of the frontline 7 times during the day on 17 July.

"The enemy has concentrated a very powerful grouping in the Lyman-Kupyansk direction: more than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 550 artillery systems and 370 multiple rocket launchers," he said.

Cherevatyi compared that at the peak of the war in Afghanistan, Soviet troops involved 120,000 servicemen. In addition, the Russians have concentrated airborne units and their best motorised infantry units in the Lyman-Kupyansk direction.

The occupiers also concentrated the army combat reserve as additional support, territorial troops, and private military companies such as Storm-Z in this area of the frontline.

The enemy is focused on breaking through the Ukrainian defences, Cherevaty added.

"Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the defence, not allowing the enemy to seize the initiative, so they are constantly striking. Over the last 24 hours, the enemy fired at us 543 times with various artillery systems and calibres, and carried out 14 air raids," the spokesman added.

He noted that the occupants also carried out 7 assaults. Repelling these attacks, Ukrainian soldiers killed 40 Russians and wounded 103 others.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces also destroyed:

3 tanks;

4 infantry fighting vehicles;

an Msta-B cannon

a mortar

2 drones;

3 cars.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

Ukrainian soldiers are holding the line in the Kupyansk sector. This was reported by the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi. He noted that the occupants have launched an offensive here, aiming to defeat Ukrainian troops in the Kupyansk area.

Defence forces in the east and south liberated almost 18 square kilometres of territory over the past week, captured dozens of prisoners and destroyed hundreds of enemy weapons and equipment. In total, 210.5 square kilometres have been liberated during the offensive, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, about 620 kafirs were eliminated in Ukraine on 16 July. Russian army losses have exceeded 238,300 people since the beginning of the invasion.

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