Russian forces are pressing their offensive near Kupyansk and Kupyansk-Uzlovoiy, according to Ukrainian military analyst Vladislav Seleznev.

He noted that if Russian troops succeed in taking control of these settlements, they would secure vital logistics routes and gain a strategic foothold for further advances toward the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration to the south.

Seleznev emphasized that despite official claims of «successes by an army corps», the situation in Kupyansk is deteriorating. He urged closer monitoring of Russian troop movements and attributed the worsening battlefield conditions to flawed command decisions and the passivity of local authorities.

According to him, Russian assault units were initially able to infiltrate part of the town and then build up their forces and equipment. Fighting is now taking place directly inside Kupyansk, and, although the pace is slow, Russian forces continue to push forward.

The analyst stressed that Russian troops aim to consolidate a bridgehead near the town, which would allow them to launch further operations toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. He warned that Moscow’s persistent attempts to seize Kupyansk «at any cost» will eventually result in tangible territorial gains — the scale of which will depend on the level of Ukrainian resistance.

In conclusion, Seleznev expressed doubt that the Ukrainian garrison defending Kupyansk has sufficient resources to hold the line in this sector.