UKRAINE, KUPIANSK, May 6 — Russian troops advanced near Pishchane on the Kupiansk axis, reports DeepState, a Ukrainian OSINT war monitoring group. DeepState also reports Russian advancement in Rodynske in Donetsk oblast. 

Russia has, once again, renewed attempts to advance on the left bank of the Oskil River, using the fresh green cover for assaults. 

DeepStateMap showing the frontline on Kupiansk axis, on May 4-5, 2026

Viktor Trehubov, the spokesperson for the group of forces responsible for Kharkiv oblast, said Russia has been preparing for the spring campaign: conducting rotations and preparing for mass infiltration of Kupiansk.

In 2025, Russia launched a large offensive on Kupiansk, infiltrating the city with small assault groups. By the end of autumn, Moscow had completely occupied the north of Kupinask — there was fighting in the city’s center. 

On Dec. 12, 2025, Ukraine’s military units, Khartia among them, reported on launching a successful counteroffensive,aimed to push Russian troops out of the city. Still, small groups of Russian infantry remained in the center of Kupiansk this spring

In 2026, Russian troops renewed their offensive on the city. On Apr. 23, Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson of the military group responsible for the Kharkiv axis, reported that Russian troops had moved “slightly” closer to Kupiansk. 

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