Ukraine Advances At Kupiansk As Trapped Russians Forced To Get Water By Drone

Ukrainian forces are having success continuing their strategy of identifying weaker segments of the Russian front line and then opportunistically striking them. This has been particularly true in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, as well as around Lyman. 

On the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian troops have pushed the Russians back four square kilometers, adding to the Kremlin's string of losses in that area. As much as the Russians want Kupiansk and continue trying to take it, they have not been able to muster the mass to do so and the Ukrainians have made them pay for trying. JL

Olena Mukhina reports in the Euromaidan Press and RBC-Ukraine reports:

Ukraine's National Guard says its assault units have cleared four square kilometers of ground near Kupiansk. The Khartiia corps have pushed Russian forces out of territory between the settlements of Dvorichna and Zapadne, working with the 35th Marine Brigade. Russian forces in the area had been effectively paralyzed by a fuel shortage, with even water being delivered exclusively by drones. Ukraine's Defense Forces continue to make gains in several sectors of the front line. Independent observers have reported Ukrainian advances on multiple fronts in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Ukraine's National Guard says its assault units have cleared four square kilometers of ground near Kupiansk. According to the military, fighters of the 23rd R.U.G. Assault Regiment of the Khartiia corps have pushed Russian forces out of territory between the settlements of Dvorichna and Zapadne, working with the 35th Separate Marine Brigade on one stretch.

Russia wants Kupiansk as a logistics node and a springboard for pushing deeper into Kharkiv Oblast. Just outside the city sits the Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi station, a key rail hub whose capture would let Russian forces move supplies and equipment far more easily.

“Overall, another 4 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory have been liberated. As long as the enemy remains on our land, the work continues,” the National Guard said. 

A city fought over from both banks 

The clearing north of the city is only one part of a contested picture. Kupiansk straddles the Oskil River: Ukraine holds the left, eastern bank, while Russian forces have pushed onto the right, western bank closer to Ukraine's rear.

On 2 September, Viktor Tregubov, head of communications for Ukraine's Joint Forces Group, said Russian troops had infiltrated part of northern Kupiansk on that right bank.

"On the right bank, the Russians are trying to hold the northern parts of the city, where they've already infiltrated some of their fighters," he told Suspilne, adding that Ukrainian forces are making trouble for them there.

The infiltrators are trying to reach the city through the village of Holubivka, he said. 

On the left bank, Russian units are trying to reach the railway station. 

"The Russians are pushing very hard toward it. They want to narrow our bridgehead," Tregubov reported.

No confirmed Russian advance

Back in July, Trehubov mentioned the Russian forces’ logistical problems in this direction, according to ArmyInform.

He explained that logistics for Russian forces in the area had been effectively paralyzed by a fuel shortage, with even water being delivered exclusively by drones. 

Ukraine's Defense Forces continue to make gains in several sectors of the front line. In particular, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have reported Ukrainian advances on multiple fronts in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.