of the Alcatraz air assault battalion, Donetsk region of Ukraine, 31 January 2025. Photo: Jose Colon / AFP

Ukrainian defenders continue to successfully hold the initiative in the Kupyansk sector, where Russian troops were forced to abandon their advanced positions near one of the settlements as a result of fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was reported by the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops on Telegram on Tuesday, 4 February.

Unsuccessful offensives and enemy withdrawal

Russian units tried unsuccessfully to break through the Ukrainian defences in the areas of Petropavlivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka and Zahryzove. However, despite their efforts, Ukrainian troops were able to inflict significant casualties on the enemy, which led to the Russians abandoning their positions on the front line.

Threats from the Russian Army Command

According to intelligence reports, the Russian military command is trying to return its soldiers to their lost positions by threatening them with execution. This is evidence of a serious moral and psychological crisis in the ranks of the Russian military, which, given the high losses, is unable to fulfil its tasks.