The Pecheneg Dam Attack: Kremlin Claims vs. Reality in Kupyansk

The attack by Russian occupation forces on the Pecheneg Reservoir dam in Kharkiv region highlights the Kremlin’s failure to establish control over Kupyansk and Vovchansk.

The destruction of the dam completely contradicts statements by the Russian command, which claims to control certain settlements in the Kharkiv region.

As the saying goes, “You can’t understand Russia with your mind.” If, as Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claims, Kupyansk — or at least Vovchansk — is under Russian control, a simple question arises: why destroy the infrastructure leading to these same cities? The main supply routes to both Kupyansk and Vovchansk pass through the Pecheneg Reservoir dam. If the occupiers truly controlled Kupyansk, why attack the supply lines of the Ukrainian Defense Forces moving in that direction? The actions of the Russian army directly contradict their own claims of “tactical successes.”

If the occupiers were genuinely conducting an offensive, they would need to capture and hold the dam, which is critically important for advancing deep into Ukrainian territory. Instead, they are destroying it, supposedly to disrupt Ukrainian logistics. This clearly indicates that they lack control over the areas of the Kharkiv region they claim to hold.

It is important to note that the dam attack is not an isolated case. On December 7, the Kharkiv Oblast Infrastructure Development and Restoration Service reported that the Russian army struck a bridge near Stary Saltov, approximately 16 kilometres from the front line. The attack forced local authorities to close the T-2111 Chuhuyiv–Velyky Burluk road near Pecheneg and the T-2104 Kharkiv–Vovchansk–Chugunivka road near Stary Saltiv.

Taken together, these actions reveal a systematic attempt by the enemy to cut off Kupyansk and Vovchansk from critical supplies.

According to the press service of the 16th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our defenders have already identified backup routes in case of dam damage — meaning the Russians will not be able to disrupt the logistics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, Ukrainian units have stockpiled the necessary supplies and equipment. Therefore, a temporary loss of access through the dam will not have a critical impact on military operations.

At the same time, the enemy is being forced to acknowledge the difficult situation facing its assault units in this area.

Currently, the occupation forces in Kupyansk are effectively blockaded. They can only maintain logistics using heavy drones, as ground supply routes are virtually nonexistent. This is the result of successful actions by the units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, which are clearing the city.

The operation involves the “Charter” Brigade, the 475th Assault Regiment “Code 9.2” of the 92nd Assault Brigade, units of the Foreign Legion of the Ministry of Defence, and the 144th Mechanized Brigade. The group has broken through to the Oskil River, severing the enemy’s supply lines.

In addition, the situation for the enemy is further complicated by the fact that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have halted any further advance toward a key strategic facility — the Kupyansk-Vuzlovy railway station. The Russian command’s plans to establish a broad “buffer zone” from Milove to Kupyansk and Vovchansk have failed, with strikes on infrastructure serving as the clearest evidence of their setbacks.

It is noteworthy that since October, the Russian occupiers have periodically claimed the alleged occupation of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region.

As a reminder, on November 20, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces had allegedly managed to encircle up to 15 battalions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kupyansk. At the same time, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gerasimov, stated that Kupyansk had been “liberated.”

In contrast, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, emphasized that Russian propaganda claims about the pace of the Russian advance do not correspond to reality.

According to him, “Our forces have considerably improved their tactical standing in the city.” The infiltration routes of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups are blocked. The clearing of Kupyansk from Russian invaders — whose ‘successes’ exist only in propaganda — is ongoing. We are working to gradually push the enemy out of their bridgehead north of the city, as well as from many other areas where Russian forces still maintain a presence.”

On December 12, it was reported that the Defence Forces carried out a successful counterattack near Kupyansk in Kharkiv region, surrounding the Russian forces in the city.