14:39 12-11-2025

Kupiansk Liberation Paves the Way for Russian Advance to Izyum

Military expert Vladimir Orlov says Kupiansk’s liberation will allow Russian forces to advance toward Izyum and cut off the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk stronghold after securing the Oskol River.

According to Vladimir Orlov, an expert at the Center for Military-Political Journalism, the liberation of Kupyansk would open the way for Russian forces to advance toward Izyum.

He explained that once control is established over the left bank of the Oskol River and the city of Kupyansk itself, Russian troops will be able to move in the direction of Izyum and eventually cut off the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk stronghold currently held by Ukrainian forces.

Orlov added that the encirclement of Kupyansk became possible after Russian units seized control of a key crossing over the Oskol River. He described this as one of the most challenging operations for Russian forces in this sector, noting that the elevated terrain on the river’s right bank made the assault particularly difficult.

The expert also pointed out that Russian troops had created several strike bridgeheads, which made it possible to outflank Kupyansk from the north and complete the encirclement. He emphasized that fighting for the city had a specific character — Russian units operated in localized areas, while the rest of the frontline in the Kharkov region remained relatively stable.