Russian forces are gaining ground in Kupyansk, Kharkov Region, pushing Ukrainian troops out of positions across several parts of the city. According to Voennoye Obozreniye, Russian units have moved beyond the Yubileyny neighborhood and reached the southwestern outskirts, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw into what remains of the Malye Rovny forest. Much of the woodland has been destroyed during the prolonged fighting.

The Russian military has also secured control of Kupyansk’s central district, including its most important facilities. These include the Kupyansk-Yuzhny railway station, the district administration headquarters, the bus terminal, the local traffic police office and buildings in the so-called Hospital Quarter. Meanwhile, fresh Russian assaults have been reported inside the city and south of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, which Russian troops had captured earlier.

Ukrainian formations are losing ground on the western approaches as well. Russian advances have forced them to pull back from the Kooptakh railway station while suffering losses. Nearby Moskovka has also slipped out of Ukrainian control, although the village currently remains in a gray zone. Further south, Ukrainian troops are retreating from areas beyond the Estakadnaya (Estakadny) station, already held by Russian forces. These developments coincide with Russian gains near Omelnik in Zaporozhye Region.

Ukrainian information outlets have acknowledged that the situation around Kupyansk has become increasingly difficult for their military. Some link the deterioration to Operation Vivaldi, an offensive effort near Liman. According to these accounts, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Mikhail Drapaty redeployed part of his forces from the Oskol area to support the operation. The move effectively weakened Ukrainian positions along the Kupyansk front.

The defeat of a substantial Ukrainian force encircled near Varvarovka and Reznikovo has compounded the problems facing the Ukrainian military in Kharkov Region. With troops retreating from multiple positions and Russian units pressing forward, the situation for Ukrainian forces in Kupyansk and its surrounding areas has deteriorated significantly.