Ukraine thwarts Russian attempt to seize northern Kupiansk in Operation Veles

Operation Veles and its results

American analysts highlighted an official statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, delivered on October 27.

At the time, the head of state confirmed that Ukrainian troops had traveled more than 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) through underground pipelines during Operation Veles in the Kupiansk sector.

Shortly afterward, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Joint Forces Group, said that clearing the pipelines of Russian troops during the operation had prevented enemy forces from infiltrating northern Kupiansk.

According to him, Russian troops who had entered the city earlier are now dispersed among positions in its northern districts.

Situation in Sumy region

Russian forces attacked in the northern Sumy region, but there is no confirmed evidence of their advance. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its troops had captured Barylivka, located northeast of Sumy. However, Ukraine’s 8th Army Corps rejected the claim, stressing that the settlement remains under the control of Ukrainian defenders.

Russia is attempting to establish a buffer zone along the border with the Sumy region that its troops could hold defensively. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continued striking enemy military targets in Russian border areas.

In particular, Ukraine’s General Staff reported hitting a Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system near Rzhava and a radar station near Malyi Horodkove in Kursk region. Ukrainian troops also struck an electronic warfare station near Semyachky in Bryansk region.

Situation in Kharkiv region

Northeast of Kharkiv, Russian troops recently attempted to infiltrate the area near Mala Vovcha. Geolocated footage published on October 27 shows Ukrainian defenders striking enemy positions south of the settlement.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had captured Alisivka, located north of Kharkiv. A Russian military blogger claimed that units of the 1431st Motorized Rifle Regiment were involved in the operation. However, there is no confirmed evidence of Russian advances in the area.

On the Lyman axis, Russian forces also recently attempted to infiltrate Ukrainian positions from the north. Geolocated footage released on October 28 shows Ukrainian troops striking a Russian soldier east of Zelena Dolyna following a suspected enemy infiltration.

Despite previous setbacks, Russian command continues to pursue a plan to outflank Ukraine’s defensive belt from the northwest. The occupying forces’ priorities include capturing Lyman and attempting to cross the Siverskyi Donets River.

Situation in Donbas

On October 27–28, Russian forces continued localized offensive operations east of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk but made no gains. The invaders also attacked Kramatorsk again: after the initial strike, they shelled firefighters who had arrived to deal with its aftermath.

Russian command is attempting to advance from the east toward Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkivka to increase pressure on Ukraine’s defensive line in Donetsk region. On this section of the front, Russian troops recently infiltrated Klynove, north of Kostiantynivka. According to a Ukrainian military source on October 28, the enemy is attempting to establish positions southeast of the settlement after previously capturing Bezimianne and Popsane.

Further Russian advances in the area could threaten the flanks of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka. At the same time, the occupying forces are attempting to approach the city from the east, while advancing toward Kostiantynivka from the south and southwest.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Forces described the situation in Kupiansk following Operation Veles.

RBC-Ukraine also reported how many Russian invaders were killed or captured during the special operation.