Ukrainian forces push forward two days in a row in Kupiansk direction - ISW

The Defense Forces of Ukraine have been counterattacking for the second consecutive day and are making gains in the Kupiansk direction, according to a report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to geolocated footage published on August 8, the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently repelled enemy attacks and advanced southwest of Kindrashivka (north of Kupiansk).
In a report from the previous day, analysts noted that the Ukrainian army recently advanced southwest of Radkivka (also north of Kupiansk).
At the same time, the ISW writes that Russian forces recently advanced northwest and north of Kupiansk, continuing their attempts to encircle and capture the city.
The analysts also cited a statement from a Russian war correspondent who claimed that Russian troops allegedly captured a railway station northeast of Kupiansk.
Destruction of Kupiansk and Russian plans
A few weeks ago, the head of the Kupiansk Military-Civil Administration, Andrii Besedin, reported that as a result of prolonged Russian attacks, 95% of Kupiansk’s infrastructure in the Kharkiv region has been destroyed.
“In total, 95% of the city of Kupiansk is destroyed or damaged. We are holding on. There is power supply where possible. There is gas supply. Unfortunately, a guided aerial bomb damaged the water supply system,” Besedin said.
He also added that restoration now requires heavy specialized machinery, but it is currently impossible to bring it in.
Regarding Russian plans, three weeks ago, the speaker of the Kharkiv united territorial community, Pavlo Shamshyn, reported that Russians want to build pontoon bridges for armored vehicles across the Oskil River to create conditions for encircling or storming Kupiansk. However, he noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are disrupting these plans.