Ukraine Defeats Yet Another "Major" Russian Offensive In Kupiansk (Kharkiv)

All Russian attacks seem to be 'major offensives' these days, though that has not apparently had much impact on their success rate - either in the north around Kharkiv or in the east in Donetsk. JL 

Julia Struck reports in the Kyiv Post:

Ukrainian forces thwarted a Russian offensive in the Kupyansk sector of the Kharkiv  region, eliminating dozens of Russian soldiers. the operation resulted in the elimination of more than 30 Russian soldiers, with 15 of them killed in a gun battle. “More than 40 Russian soldiers were wounded by special forces, and two were captured. Additionally, reconnaissance units destroyed over 40 enemy fortifications and structures.” On the ground, Russia has made minimal progress – since January, it has gained just 0.15% of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine’s Chimera special unit, part of the Tymur Special Unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), successfully thwarted a Russian offensive in the Kupyansk sector of the Kharkiv region, eliminating dozens of Russian soldiers.

HUR shared a video of the special operation on Telegram, captioned: “Chimera is in action: HUR special forces eliminate the enemy in the Kupyansk sector.”

The video showcases the key stages of the operation, including the command post’s activities, the assault on Russian positions, the evacuation of the wounded, UAV operations, and fire support. Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time and location of the filming.

 

With the backing of their comrades from the Aratta and Siberian Battalion units, Ukrainian soldiers managed to hold a wide section of the front and stabilize the defense in the area.

According to the HUR report, the operation resulted in the elimination of more than 30 Russian soldiers, with 15 of them killed in a gun battle.

“More than 40 Russian soldiers were wounded by special forces, and two were captured. Additionally, reconnaissance units destroyed over 40 enemy fortifications and engineering structures,” the report states.

Fierce fighting continues in the Kupyansk sector, where Russian forces are attempting to complicate Ukrainian logistics, as revealed by a sniper, callsign “Yuvelir,” from the 23F3 unit of the Pomsta brigade.

 

Speaking to the Ukrainian media, he reveals that Russian forces are making it difficult for Ukrainian servicemen to reach their positions, but that their troops are holding strong.

“The main challenge is that getting to positions is a very big quest, and without electronic warfare, it is very difficult,” he said.

“Motivation, endurance, and team coordination are what ultimately break the enemy’s will on the approach,” the sniper added.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for a “security buffer zone” along Ukraine’s border, including the Kharkiv region, in effort to justify Moscow’s disregard for peace. In late May, Putin claimed Russian forces were “suppressing enemy firing points” to create this buffer.

The goal, according to General Viktor Sobolev, is to push long-range Ukrainian weapons, like HIMARS, out of range.

Since June 2023, Putin has mentioned the buffer zone at least eight times, often after Ukrainian attacks on Russian border regions, using it as a pretext for new military offensives.

On the ground, Russia has made minimal progress – since January, it has gained just 0.15% of Ukrainian territory. However, Ukrainian defense sources suggest Russia may push to establish a 15-20 km buffer in Sumy and Kharkiv as part of a broader summer offensive.