Counterattacking Ukrainians Are Pushing Russians Out of Kupiansk

Even though Kupiansk's location near the Russian border gives them an advantage in artillery support, the Kremlin's troops in that city are being systematically driven out by Ukrainian counterattacks and drone strikes. JL

Valentyna Romanenko reports in Ukraine Pravda:

Russian forces are attempting to hold their positions in the northern districts of the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast while Ukrainian troops are actively conducting counterattacks, pushing the Russians out of their fortified positions. "The Russians are in the northern districts of the citytrying to hold on and resist Ukrainian counter-actions, but in recent days the Ukrainians have been making effective attempts to drive them out."

Russian forces are attempting to hold their positions in the northern districts of the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast while Ukrainian troops are actively conducting counterattacks, pushing the Russians out of their fortified positions.

Source: Ukrinform, a Ukrainian news agency, citing Viktor Trehubov, Head of Communications for Ukraine's Joint Forces Task Force, speaking on television

Quote: "An active operation is ongoing, troops are engaged and there is urban combat… Right now, the Russians are in the northern districts of the city [Kupiansk – ed.], trying to hold on and resist Ukrainian counter-actions, but in recent days the Ukrainians have been making quite effective attempts to drive them out."

Details: Trehubov noted that reaching Kupiansk is extremely challenging for both sides.

Quote: "Every single attempt to get there at all is a tall order, even for an infantry group. If we are talking about any vehicle, it's even more so."

More details: Trehubov said drones and assault infantry are playing a significant role in the fighting.

Quote: "There are a lot of drones, including some on fibre optics. There are also a lot of drones lying along the roads just waiting for something to go past. So the main burden now falls on assault infantry on both sides, and on infantry generally, and on the effective work of UAV operators."

More details: Trehubov also noted the impact of aircraft and guided aerial bombs, as the oblast's proximity to the Russian border complicates the situation.

Quote: "Even so, a lot now rests on the courage and effectiveness of Ukrainian infantry, including assault infantry."