UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Sep. 23 — Russian forces are trying to advance toward the city of Kupiansk in eastern Kharkiv oblast, but Ukrainian forces continue to launch counterattacks and use drones to disrupt Russian logistics, Viktor Trehubov, the press officer of the military group responsible for the Kharkiv oblast, told Suspilne, Ukrainian public media outlet.

Kupiansk is an important logistics hub that connects Kharkiv region with Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

According to Trehubov, the Russians are trying to infiltrate Kupiansk with small assault groups. Most of them are concentrated west of the occupied Pishchane village, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Kupiansk.

The Russians are reducing their infiltration groups to the smallest possible size. They may concentrate in certain areas, but they often reach the positions one by one, he said.

At the same time, Russian forces are finding it difficult to hold their positions between the occupied Dvorichna and Kupiansk, as “they are facing logistical problems under pressure from Ukrainian troops,” Trehubov added.

“In fact, the only route for Russians to reach Kupiansk on the western bank of the Oskil river runs through Holubivka — a small village north of the city. But the area is in a gray zone and is constantly under attack by Ukrainian drones,” he said.

Trehubov also talked about the weather and seasonal changes. Leaves have already begun to fall from the trees, which means that it will become more difficult for small groups to move around unnoticed.

Earlier, the analysts reported that Ukrainian forces counterattacked east of the village of Zapadne in the Kupiansk district.

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