Rumors of fighting in Ukraine's Kupiansk center spread online - What’s really happening
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian defenders protect Kupiansk from the Russian forces (Getty Images)
Rumors began circulating online that the Russian troops had reached the center of Kupiansk and that fighting was ongoing there. This information is false, said Oleksii Bielskyi, spokesperson for the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Grouping of Troops.
Commenting on the situation around Kupiansk, Bielskyi said that Ukrainian defenders have already damaged and flooded a gas pipeline through which Russian forces were moving soldiers to the outskirts of Kupiansk.
Currently, enemy soldiers are trying to cross the Oskil River using rafts and boats.
"Information about combat in the city center does not correspond to reality. The occupiers are operating in the northern part of Kupiansk, where they managed to infiltrate from the areas of Radkivka and Holubivka. They are being destroyed, and some have been taken prisoner," the Dnipro spokesperson emphasized.
He also clarified that captured Russians reported entering the city in groups of 2 to 9 soldiers, some in military uniform and some in civilian clothes. Each group was assigned specific tasks. For example, one group was ordered to seize a five-story building at a certain address, while another was assigned a nine-story building.
"Additionally, the occupiers were tasked with killing all civilian men aged 18 to 60, and using women and children as human shields if necessary. Currently, an operation is ongoing to block and eliminate the occupiers who infiltrated Kupiansk," Bielskyi said.
Situation in Kupiansk
The situation in Kupiansk worsened after Russian forces managed to advance closer to the city through underground pipes.
As analysts from the DeepState project reported, the enemy used specially designed wheeled platforms and electric scooters to move through the pipes.
The commander of the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems Achilles, Yurii Fedorenko, emphasized that the Russian forces aim to bypass Kupiansk through the northwestern outskirts and advance as far as possible into the city.
