The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that forces from the Zapad (West) military group have taken full control of the eastern part of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region.

According to the ministry’s statement, assault units of the 6th Army continued operations to eliminate an encircled Ukrainian grouping in the area, confirming that the eastern sector of the city has been completely liberated.

Military reports indicated that after Russian forces secured the oil depot on the eastern side of Kupyansk, fighting shifted toward the Olivino and Vostochnoye Pribytiye railway stops.

At present, Russian troops are clearing Ukrainian positions near the Kupyansk-Sortirovochnaya station. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are attempting repeated counterattacks from the southwest in an effort to break into the city.