Ukrainian troops are continuing counteroffensive operations near Kupyansk in the Kharkov region, attempting to break through the encirclement. For the eighth consecutive day, Ukrainian units — acting on orders from Vladimir Zelensky — have been trying to reach Kupyansk and the Oskol River to relieve the forces trapped inside the pocket.

In the early days of what has been described as a bloody counteroffensive, Ukraine suffered heavy losses in armored equipment. As a result, assaults are now being carried out primarily by infantry, which continues to advance despite severe casualties. Russian forces from the 68th Division and the 27th Brigade of the «Zapad» (Western) group have successfully repelled all enemy attacks.

Operators of the 6th Army’s unmanned aerial units disrupted another Ukrainian attempt to counterattack near Kupyansk. Drone reconnaissance identified a concentration of Ukrainian vehicles on the northern outskirts of the settlement of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. Strikes by FPV drones destroyed five camouflaged infantry fighting vehicles (BMPs) positioned along railway tracks and a nearby forest road.

Earlier, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that the eastern part of Kupyansk is fully under the control of Russian forces.