Residents of war-damaged Kupyansk, Ukraine, fear new Russian attack
In his speech to Russian lawmakers, President Putin blamed the West for the war, even though it was Russia that launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Charlie Dagot is in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, with more on Putin's speech and the impact of the war on Ukrainians. Charlie, good morning. Good morning, TN8. Yeah, in Putin's world, Ukraine started the war. In fact, he goes further to say the West started it. It's the same sort of theme he used a year ago this week to justify the invasion.
And he doubled down, saying Russia cannot be defeated. In his own State of the Union annual speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin took aim at the West for escalating the war and its support for Ukraine. The more long-range systems that come into Ukraine, he said, the further we'll be forced to move that threat away from our borders. That's exactly what Ukrainian troops are preparing for in Kupiask, this battered Eastern city less than 10 miles from Russian-controlled territory. Once home to around 30,000 people, it's now a shell of what it was before it was captured by Russian forces, liberated in September following a ferocious Ukrainian counter-offensive. Residents here tell us there has been an increase in the number of explosions that they've heard over the past few days. Defense officials tell us that the Russians may be intent on recapturing Kupiask.
Volunteer Solzhenizari says the Russians are using all the weapons at their disposal. Everything he said, every day, everything. But we're used to this, and we keep the defense. But it is a grim existence. With the local economy in tatters, families struggle to afford food, relying on volunteers who serve one warm meal a day. For many people, it is the only one opportunity to get food. Valentina Chelya says we have no gas.
We're being bombed. There were eight missile attacks on our city the day before yesterday. Halina's house was destroyed. She came back to collect some belongings. Some are closed, but she's not staying. Are you worried that the Russians may try to take Kupiask again? We hope that no, but we're afraid it's very loud here. They are shelling, shelling, and shelling.
Always they are shelling. Ukrainian forces may be dug in better equipped to hold Kupiask this time. But residents once again face a stark decision, evacuation, and homelessness, or hunkering down to ride out the approaching storm. Since we've returned from Kupiask, even more of the surrounding territory has been recaptured by Russian forces. As Ukraine marks one year since the invasion began this week, people across the country are bracing for what may come. Jerika? Charlie Daggidaforce and Keef, thank you.
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