Russian forces keep trying to gain foothold in Kupiansk, Ukraine’s military says
Photo: Kupiansk remains a strategic target for the enemy (Getty Images)
The Russian forces are not giving up attempts to capture Kupiansk and secure a foothold there. The enemy carried out offensive actions toward the city, near Novosynove and Nova Kruhliakivka, according to the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops.
"In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched assaults in the areas of Novosynove and Nova Kruhliakivka, without success. The Russian army continues trying to bring in personnel and entrench itself in Kupiansk," the group said.
It is noted that all enemy attempts are being met with a response from Ukraine’s defense forces.
Situation in other directions of the zone of the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops
In the South-Slobozhanskyi direction, during the past day, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked in the area of Vovchansk, as well as near Odradne in the Velykoburluk direction.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled all enemy assaults near Novomykhailivka, Hrekivka, Novyi Myr, Serednie, Shandryholove, Stavky, Terny, Torske, Novoselivka, and in the Serebrianske forestry. Ukrainian defenders lost no positions.
In the Kramatorsk and Toretsk directions, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Novomarkove, Stupochky, Predtechyne, Yablunivka, Kleban-Byk, and Shcherbynivka. No positions were lost.
In the Dobropillia direction, the enemy attempted to break through Ukrainian defensive fortifications near Poltavka, Maiak, Volodymyrivka, Rusyn Yar, and Zapovidne. The Russian army made no gains.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces continue attempts to block the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration. The Russian army carried out assaults in the areas of Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Promin, Pokrovsk, Novoukrainka, Myroliubivka, Novoekonomichne, Zvirove, Serhiivka, and Kotlyne. To reach the administrative border of the Donetsk region, the enemy also attacked near Dachne, Molodetske, and Udachne. The enemy was repelled and failed to achieve its objectives.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the Russian forces concentrated their offensive efforts in the areas of Filiia, Ivanivka, Novoselivka, Komyshuvakha, Ternove, Kalynivka, Novohrhorivka, and Piddubne. Heavy fighting continues; despite significant losses, the enemy is attempting to advance.
Fighting for Kupiansk
Earlier, the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops reported that in Kupiansk, the enemy is actively trying to infiltrate with sabotage and reconnaissance groups of 2–5 people.
Recently, information appeared claiming that the Russian army had already reached the center of Kupiansk, but it turned out to be fake.
Russian prisoners admitted that their commanders ordered them to shoot civilian men in Kupiansk.
On September 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian army in Kupiansk would be destroyed.
Kupiansk is a strategic target for the enemy: Russian soldiers have started crawling through abandoned gas pipelines to reach the city. However, Ukrainian forces are countering this tactic, blowing up or flooding the pipes.
Still, the Russian forces sometimes manage to partially restore them and continue using the pipelines as a way to reach their target.
To seize Kupiansk, Russians use rafts and boats to cross the Oskil River, but Ukrainian forces are striking them with drones on their way to the city.
More on the fighting for Kupiansk and Russia’s plans for the autumn-winter period can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
