Russian forces launched a renewed assault on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, employing unconventional tactics, including disguising soldiers as Ukrainian troops. Ukraine’s General Staff reported on November 15 that the attack involved four waves of assaults, including armored vehicles and infantry units, and confirmed a partial breach of Ukrainian defenses before Russian forces were repelled.
#Ukraine 🇺🇦: a Russian attack force tried to advance into the town of Kupiansk in NE #Kharkiv, but was pushed back by the Ukrainians with at least one tank destroyed. pic.twitter.com/A26QtsZbhj
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) November 14, 2024
Kupiansk, a strategic city in Kharkiv Oblast with a pre-war population of 26,000, has been a key target for Russian forces due to its logistical importance. Captured by Russia early in the 2022 invasion and later retaken by Ukraine, the city remains a focal point of conflict.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian troops infiltrated Kupiansk’s industrial zone, taking advantage of weak points in the front lines. Reports from Ukrainian military sources and analysts indicate that some Russian soldiers wore Ukrainian uniforms to blend in, while armored vehicles advanced from northern positions.
The head of Kupiansk’s military administration, Andriy Besedin, stated that Ukrainian forces engaged in heavy combat and successfully destroyed the infiltrators. Russian forces reportedly used heavy weaponry and assault vehicles during the operation.
This infiltration follows months of Russian pressure on Kupiansk’s northern outskirts. The attacks reflect a broader strategy of small-scale infiltration and persistent assaults, which have become more frequent as Russian troops shift toward aggressive offensive operations.
Kupiansk’s location makes it a critical railway and transport hub in northeastern Ukraine, connecting supply routes for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Musiyenko noted that Russian troops have been persistently attacking the Kupiansk direction for over a year. These attacks aim to stretch Ukraine’s defenses and divert resources from other critical fronts, such as Donetsk and Kursk.
If Russian forces capture Kupiansk, they could threaten Ukrainian supply lines in the region, further complicating Ukraine’s efforts to hold the line across a front that spans nearly 1,100 kilometers.
The attack on Kupiansk occurs as Russian forces intensify efforts across multiple fronts, including Donetsk and the southern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
With the impending inauguration of the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in January 2025, Russian forces appear focused on seizing as much Ukrainian territory as possible before potential changes in U.S. foreign policy.
