Have Russian Forces Captured a Key City in Ukraine's Kharkov Region?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kupyansk is a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian forces.
- Russian forces have claimed over 75% control of the city.
- Recent advances include the capture of 13 villages in the region.
- Ukrainian forces are currently experiencing setbacks.
- The city had a population of around 55,000 before the conflict.
Moscow, Nov 21 (NationPress) Russian military forces have successfully captured the pivotal city of Kupyansk located in the Kharkov region of eastern Ukraine, according to Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
Units from the Zapad (West) group have taken control of Kupyansk and are actively targeting Ukrainian forces that are encircled on the left bank of the Oskol River, Gerasimov reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Gerasimov highlighted that operations are progressing in Krasnoarmeysk, another vital city in eastern Ukraine, with more than 75% of its area now under Russian administration.
Kyiv had regained this eastern railway hub in September, following its initial capture by Russian troops on the first day of the 2022 offensive. However, Ukrainian forces have faced ongoing setbacks along the front lines in recent months.
Since the start of November, Russian troops have taken control of 13 villages -- six in the Dnipropetrovsk region and seven in the Zaporizhzhia region. Kupyansk serves as a crucial logistics center and defensive bastion for Ukrainian forces within the Kharkov vicinity.
Previously, Russia held the city from February to September 2022, during which it functioned as the region's administrative hub.
Before the onset of the conflict, Kupyansk had an estimated population of around 55,000 residents.