Russian Troops Briefly Enter Kupiansk Before Ukrainian Forces Push Them Back
Russian forces, including soldiers allegedly disguised in Ukrainian uniforms, briefly breached the outskirts of Kupiansk, a key city in northeastern Ukraine, before being repelled, according to Ukrainian military sources.
The assault marked the first time Moscow’s troops had entered Kupiansk since their retreat in September 2022, during Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive. The city, a vital railway hub with a pre-war population of 26,000, has faced increasing pressure amid intensifying battles along this section of the frontline.
Details of the Attack
Ukrainian officials reported that Russian troops launched a four-wave assault on Wednesday, deploying heavy armored vehicles and infantry. Some forces reportedly advanced into the city’s industrial zone and suburbs but were ultimately repelled by Ukrainian defenders.
“They partially entered the suburbs, the industrial zone, and were destroyed by our troops,” said Andriy Besedin, head of the city’s military administration.
Kupiansk, now located just 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the front line, remains under constant shelling. Its population has dwindled to approximately 3,000, with local authorities urging remaining residents to evacuate.
Conflicting Claims
While Ukraine’s general staff confirmed the successful defense of Kupiansk, Russian officials offered a different narrative. Vitaly Ganchev, a Moscow-appointed official, claimed that Russian forces were gaining a foothold on the city’s outskirts.
Independent verification of these competing claims remains unavailable.
Strategic Importance and Current Context
Kupiansk was one of the early territorial gains of Russia’s February 2022 invasion but was later recaptured by Ukrainian forces during their autumn counteroffensive.
Recent months have seen Ukraine’s troops losing ground in the eastern region while trying to hold the line against what Kyiv describes as a 50,000-strong Russian force amassed in the Kursk region. Western officials believe Russian airborne troops (VDV) are leading these renewed offensives, gradually reclaiming territory in Kursk previously seized by Ukraine.
Ukraine’s control over Russian territory in Kursk has reportedly shrunk from 800–900 square kilometers to about 600 square kilometers.
New Threats on the Horizon
Russia is reportedly preparing for a major offensive in southeastern Ukraine. At the same time, reports have emerged that Moscow has recruited thousands of North Korean soldiers to bolster its forces, reflecting struggles in finding manpower for the prolonged conflict.
The recent Kupiansk assault, involving 15 pieces of hardware such as tanks and armored combat vehicles, was described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of Russia’s efforts to expand operations along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.
Analysis of the Assault
Pasi Paroinen, a military analyst with the Black Bird Group, described the Russian attack on Kupiansk as opportunistic. He suggested that Ukraine had successfully isolated and destroyed most of the Russian forces that had penetrated the city’s outskirts.
“The situation remains fluid, and the coming days will reveal whether Russia intensifies efforts to exploit this front,” Paroinen added.
As both sides brace for the next phase of conflict, Kupiansk continues to serve as a symbol of the broader struggle for control in Ukraine’s northeast.