UKRAINE, KUPIANSK, Feb 3 — Kupiansk in Kharkiv region is 70% destroyed, said the head of the Kupiansk administration, Andrii Besedin, adding that the city doesn’t have a single intact building. 

Kupiansk, a crucial logistics, railway hub for the region, was occupied by Russia in 2022, at the beginning of a full-scale invasion. Ukraine liberated the city in September 2022, and two years later, the city once again became a focus of Russia’s new offensive. 

Besedin says Russians use more “Molniya” drones and continue to attack the city regularly with artillery, multiple rocket launchers, mortars, glide bombs, and FPV drones.

“Over 56,000 people lived in this community before the full-scale invasion. Now, 3,100 locals are living here, including 3,100 people who live on the left bank of the Oskil River.” 

“Sadly, many people disregard their safety,” Besedin added, noting that 5-7 people per day agree to get evacuated from the Oskil River.

The Russian army reached the Oskil River near Dvorichna, north of Kupiansk, and Krukliakivka, south of the city, during autumn. General Staff reports seven combat clashes on the Kupiansk axis, including near Dvorichna, just over the past day. 

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