The United States is reportedly pushing Ukraine to cede the remainder of Donetsk Oblast to Russia in exchange for US security guarantees. ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian concessions of territory that Russia is unlikely to seize quickly or easily militarily would be a strategic mistake.[1]

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The milblogger claimed that even the “most optimistic estimates” assess that Russian forces have only just reached the outskirts of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, while other estimates find that Russian forces are “still a long way off.” The milblogger sarcastically stated that there may be a “hidden side of Kupyansk” where “all these strange events” like the Russian MoD’s regular seizures and encirclements are occurring, as there are no alternative explanations.

The Upside Down

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A Russian milblogger reportedly affiliated with the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces claimed on January 27 that elements of the Russian 272nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (47th Tank Division, 1st Guards Tank Army [GTA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) are suffering from drone shortages in the Kupyansk direction despite intensified drone operations.[65] The milblogger claimed that servicemembers constantly contribute personal funds for drones, but that these contributions are actually bribes to avoid being sent on highly attritional assaults.