Russian offensive on Kupiansk repelled by Ukrainian forces - visual evidence provided
In a recent development, Russian forces launched a mechanised assault on Kupiansk, a strategic railway hub in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, 16 August, was the first of its kind in a while, according to reports.
The location of the attack was from the left bank of the Oskil River in Kupiansk. The enemy, as stated by Anton Shmahailo, carried out a local blitzkrieg, hoping that no one would expect an armoured assault. The assault involved two tanks, three MT-LB armoured fighting vehicles, and around 40 Russian personnel.
The 429th Achilles Drone Regiment, 116th Separate Mechanised Brigade, and 15th Operational Assignment Kara Dag Brigade were involved in the repelling of the attack. The 1st battalion of Achilles Drone Regiment, commanded by Anton Shmahailo, played a significant role in this defence. The Ukrainian troops were successful in repelling the attack, with the 429th Achilles Regiment destroying one tank and two MT-LB armoured fighting vehicles at the entrance to Lyman Pershyi. They also damaged another MT-LB during the repelling of the attack.
The Oskil River was involved in the assault on Kupiansk. This is not the first time Russian forces have attempted mechanized attacks on Kupiansk. The initial Russian advance towards Kupiansk occurred early in the 2022 invasion, with the mayor of Kupiansk reportedly handing control to Russian forces under threat of storming on February 27, 2022, although Ukrainian authorities condemned this as treason. Throughout 2025, Russian mechanized units continued attacks aimed at Kupiansk and its surroundings, but Ukrainian troops have largely repelled these assaults.
The enemy, according to Shmahailo, has been attempting daily infiltration into the defence forces' combat formations. A Russian attack involving 20 armoured vehicles occurred near the village of Zahryzove on the Kupiansk front on 3 and 4 January. Russian forces have repeatedly attempted mechanized attacks on Kupiansk, but Ukrainian troops have managed to hold the area and conduct counterattacks to inhibit Russian mechanized progress near Kupiansk.
The enemy is reported to have ordered the capture of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi before the New Year in late 2024. However, with the latest successful repulsion of the Russian attack, it seems that Ukrainian defence forces are determined to keep Kupiansk under their control.
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- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, such as the recent assault on Kupiansk, are closely monitored by the general-news media, providing critical updates on the situation. [Source]
- In the realm of politics, international communities express deep concern over the escalating conflict in Ukraine, urging the government of both Russia and Ukraine to seek peaceful resolutions to the issues at hand. [Source]
- The successes of the Ukrainian troops in repelling enemy attacks in Kupiansk, including the latest repulsion of a Russian mechanized assault, have boosted the morale of the sports community, who view these victories as symbolic of the country's resilience. [Source]
