Russian troops are intensifying their offensive operations northeast of Kupyansk, which is likely intended to divert Ukrainian forces from more strategically important areas of the front.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian offensives along the front line in the Kupyansk area forced Ukrainian forces to flee to Petropavlivka (7km east of Kupyansk).

Key takeaways at Kupyansk direction

  • Russian forces are expected to capture Petropavlivka within the next two days and continue their advance towards Kupyansk. This prediction follows claims by milbloggers that Russian forces have already taken 30 Ukrainian strongholds along a broad front extending from Kupyansk to Kyslivka, southeast of Kupyansk.
  • Another milblogger reported that Russian forces have reached the outskirts of Synkivka, less than 10km away from Ukraine’s advanced defensive lines to the northeast of Kupyansk. However, independent sources have no visual confirmation of these reported Russian advances.
  • Similar claims of Russian progress southwest of Svatove have been made by Russian milbloggers, but these have not been visually confirmed either, despite being several weeks old.
  • The possibility exists that Russian forces are concentrating their offensive efforts on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line to exploit Ukraine’s attention elsewhere and to divert Ukrainian units from more crucial areas on the front. Ukrainian forces have reportedly reinforced their defenses in the Kupyansk direction, possibly indicating that Russian forces have successfully drawn more Ukrainian troops to the area.
  • Additionally, due to increased Russian shelling and airstrikes, Ukrainian officials have ordered mandatory evacuations for civilians in 53 settlements near Kupyansk, although this move might not necessarily signify anticipation of significant Russian advancements by Ukrainian forces.

See also

Kharkiv region may face large-scale forced evacuation. Due to the escalation near the localities of Kupiansk district in Kharkiv region, the population may have to be evacuated.

Constant missile attacks and empty streets: how Kupyansk lives on the front line. This city in Kharkiv Oblast is 10-15 km/ 6–9 miles from the front line and 40 km/ 25 miles from the border with Russia. The city was severely damaged at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and during the battle for its liberation in September 2022. Today, it is constantly under fire from Russian MLRS and S-300 systems.

Russian army plans to break through Ukrainian defense in Kupyansk direction — colonel-general Syrskyi. Intense fighting is taking place, with some villages changing hands several times.