Fierce street fighting in Kupyansk, Russian troops enter residential areas
Russian troops penetrated the city center of Kupyansk and attacked the south, Ukraine urgently sent elite troops to fill the defense line.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•08/10/2025
According to Russia's TASS news agency, quoting Mr. Igor Kimakovsky, advisor to the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Western Group of Forces of the Russian Army (RFAF) has expanded its control in the center of Kupyansk city, pushing Ukrainian troops out of residential areas. The General Staff of the Ukrainian army is redeploying reserve units and special forces into the city, as the defenders of Kupyansk have become almost combat ineffective. There is currently no demarcation line in the city; fighting is taking place in various neighborhoods.
The RFAF on the Kupyansk front is actively using tactical aviation, dropping guided glide bombs (UMPK), attacking the defense positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Recently, the formations of the 19th Special Forces Center and the 15th Combat Brigade of the AFU, redeployed to Kupyansk, were attacked by Russian aircraft with UMPK bombs. Currently, according to combat data, the RFAF has taken control of the clothing market in Kupyansk and has advanced to the banks of the Kupyanka River near the Estakadnaya railway station. Fierce fighting continues in the north and center of the city, with the risk of Ukrainian troops being caught in a fire trap in the near future. The AFU General Staff acknowledged the critical situation for its defense forces in Kupyansk, noting that important prerequisites for this had been created, after the RFAF established bridgeheads on the right bank of the Oskol River several months ago. Meanwhile, the AFU had virtually no reserves left to stop the Russian advance in Kupyansk. Ukraine's Deep State channel reported that after several days of fierce fighting, the front lines in Kupyansk have begun to shift. While these changes have not yet affected the overall situation, they could become a trend in the coming months, especially on the fronts north of Donetsk and south of Kharkiv. The Military Summary channel reported that fierce fighting was taking place in the center of Kupyansk, with RFAF penetrating the Ukrainian defenses in the city center and advancing to the southern edge of the H26 highway. Fighting spread south to Shmyshinaya Street.
In addition, the Russian troops in the west of the city also broke through the H26 road and advanced south, reaching Student Street and advancing about a kilometer south along that street. This attack immediately captured seven blocks, like a hammer, pounding down the southern part of the city. This RFAF attack not only completely cut off the H26 road, but also gave the Russians the opportunity to surround the Ukrainian forces in the city center. At this time, more than two-thirds of the city was engulfed in fighting, creating a chaotic situation. According to Russian news agency TASS, Ukraine's losses in both troops and weapons were so severe that even Ukrainian experts and Kiev leaders were concerned that they could not hold the city. Faced with such a dire situation, the AFU General Staff deployed additional reinforcements, including an elite UAV unit called the “Magyar Birds” to Kupyansk. The immediate goal of the AFU was to halt the Russian advance and then push it back, but this proved very difficult.
While stopping the Russians may be possible, repelling Russian forces that have penetrated into the city is nearly impossible. Why? Because to achieve this, the AFU needs a significant numerical advantage, which they currently lack. Of course, the Russian side is also facing a difficult battle. Although it has more troops than Ukraine, the attackers will still need more troops, and they may not be enough. Some experts predict that the RFAF will need to deploy another division to ensure the successful capture of Kupyansk, which shows how difficult the problem is to solve. The Kupyansk front clearly shows that both Russia and Ukraine are in trouble. The AFU lacks the numbers and effective counter-offensive methods, and has to rely on maneuvering its numbers and lines to hold out. While the RFAF has made progress on several fronts, it is also facing a shortage of offensive forces, making it difficult to quickly seize key areas. Meanwhile, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament ) said that the situation of the AFU in Kupyansk is "catastrophic", and the measures taken are not bringing results. All signs indicate that the remaining AFU forces may withdraw from the city in the near future.
Amid the dire situation in Kupyansk, a video has been released online showing at least three soldiers from the elite unit of the 15th Independent Brigade of the National Guard near Kupyansk surrendering. (photo source Topwar, Ukrinform, Kyiv Post, TASS).
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