Thread by @TrentTelenko

Russian occupation officials say Russian units recently arrived from within the Russian Federation are now defending #Kupiansk, Ukraine from the approaching AFU counteroffensive👇

1/8

https://twitter.com/GeopoliticalGu1/status/1568003974523154432

I've just retweeted posts claiming local Ukrainians in #Kupiansk are reporting intense artillery fire in/near the city.

2/8

It is unclear to me whose heavy artillery fire is being reported.

My gut says locals are hearing both sides artillery impacting.

3/8

The one thing that is clear to me is #Kupiansk time as a supply hub for Izyum is over. It is well and truly both in range & under Ukrainian artillery fire.

That means no Russian truck convoys will go through #Kupiansk to Izyum for the foreseeable future.
4/8

Russia has the time to evacuate most of its troops and vehicles, but none of the deep stocks of fuel and ammo in Izyum.

However, It has to start now, now now, to achieve even that.

The longer it delays, the more men & material it will lose in this Ukrainian Kesselschlacht**
5/8

** Kesselschlacht is a german word that means "Kettle Battle" in English.

Any Russian delay gives Ukrainian artillery now near #Kupiansk the time to destroy Russian evacuation bridges & ferries.

6/8

The slower the Russian High Command is in withdrawing from the Izyum salient.

The larger the number of Russian, LDR & DNR troops will get "cooked in the kettle."

We don't have long to wait for this Kesselschlacht to boil over.
7/8

It is getting close to kettle popcorn time.

8/8 End