UKRAINE, KUPIANSK, May 27 — Andrii Besedin, head of the Kupiansk military administration, reported that Russia attacked the city with 10 glide bombs on May 25, including a 500 kg bomb. Russian strikes killed two and injured three people. They also damaged or destroyed more than 40 houses and hit two apartment buildings. 

Kupiansk is the largest city in the east of the Kharkiv region. It has been one of the primary targets of Russian assaults since Putin launched a full-scale invasion. 

Russia occupied Kupiansk in 2022, and Ukrainian troops liberated the town during an autumn counteroffensive that year. Russian troops have renewed efforts to capture the city in 2024, capturing the land on the left bank of the Oskil River. 

Besedin said that Russia destroyed 90% of Kupiansk. In May alone, Russian troops struck the town and community more than 3,500 times with various types of weapons. Among them were 217 guided bombs, including eight halftones. During this month, Russia killed nine and injured 40 Kupinaks locals. 

“Russia has only tactic and purpose — is to destroy. They understand they can’t advance Kupiansk and the community, so they are trying to wipe the town out as they did with Vovchansk and other cities of Luhansk and Donetsk regions,” said Besedin. 

As of May 26, nearly 2,700 people live in the community, 1700 of whom remain in the city, and 1000 live on the left bank of the Oskil Rive. Most refuse evacuation from the Kupiansk despite the threat of being surrounded by the Russian army.

Kupiansk authorities try to maintain the availability of electricity, gas, and water, but it becomes difficult because of the danger of aerial attacks. 

On May 16, Gwara Media reported that the local government decided to stop the work of the only hospital due to danger to its patients and staff. 

UPD from May 28, 11:23 a.m.: Headline clarified: 10 glide bombs changed to “10 Russian glide bombs.” Typos in several paragraphs fixed. Context added to the last sentence — “due to danger to its patient and staff.”

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