Russian Army Has Already Captured Over 65% Of Kupyansk (Videos)

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on September 23 that the Zapad [West] Group of Forces has taken control of 5,667 out of 8,667 buildings in Kupyansk in the Kharkiv direction, which means that Kiev forces have already withdrawn from more than 65% of the city.

The attack in Kupyansk began earlier this month with a tunnel operation that allowed Russian troops to enter the northern part of the city undetected. It came as a shock for Kiev forces, who were clearly not prepared for a battle inside the city, despite its urban density.

“Russian troops have blocked a large group of the enemy from the northern and western sides, taking it in a half-ring. Combat missions to block neo-Nazis from the south continue. Among them are nationalists from the Freikorps detachment, terrorists of the so-called ‘Russian volunteer corps,’ and servicemen of the special forces of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR),” the Russian MoD said in a statement.

Up to 700 people have been blocked, 250 of them have already been neutralized, according to the ministry, which said that Ukraine lost over 1,800 troops, 36 tanks, and other armored vehicles, two multiple rocket launchers, as well as 137 field artillery and mortar guns the last month alone in an attempt to retain Kupyansk.

“Kupyansk is an administrative centre of the same-named region and a large settlement in Kharkov region. This city is an important logistics center where a number of automobile and rail roads cross (Kupyansk-Uzlovaya and Kupyansk-Sortirovochny stations, and T-2109 and R-07 roads). Supply routes for the entire AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) group on the eastern bank of the Oskol River pass through the city. In this regard, Kupyansk has become a key point for the Ukrainian command to keep control over the eastern part of Kharkov region. This is also related to the city’s advantageous defensive position. Kupyansk is located on both banks of the Oskol River. The right part is on the high ground, which provides natural defensive advantages, while the river and its flood-lands create an additional barrier for the troops in offensive.

Like many other large cities in Kharkov region, the Kiev regime has turned Kupyansk into a powerful fortified area. Ukrainian troops have established fire control over the approaches to the city, including key roads and crossings over the Oskol River.

Literally every building represented a well-equipped and protected concrete pillbox. In fact, the city has been turned into a ‘fortress’ using reinforced concrete structures and minefields,” the ministry said.

The rapid advance by the Zapad Group of Forces in Kupyansk was facilitated by intense use of drones, as evident by recent videos.

The city seems destined to be captured by Russian troops very soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already admitted that “harsh actions” were taking place there, and the deployment of large reinforcements by Kiev forces are yet to result in anything.

The Russian MoD said that the capture of Kupyansk will facilitate “further advancing of the offensive into the depths of Kharkov region, including directions to Izyum and Chuguyev.”

It also estimated that the city would provide a direct route to Volchansk from the south towards the advancing troops of the Sever [North] Group of Forces from the north.

“Taking control over Kupyansk will allow the Russian troops to advance towards the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, on a strategically important road leading to the northern border with the Donetsk People’s Republic. This will accelerate the establishment of control over Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, which are key defensive positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbass,” it added.

All in all, the situation in Kupyansk seems vastly in favor of the Russian military. Ukraine could prolong the battle in the city. However, in order to do so, it will have to sacrifice another front. If the failure there gains more attraction, the Kiev regime may opt for this, as it prioritizes its posture in the media more than on the battlefield.

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