Russian Forces Failed to Enter Kupiansk, Ukraine’s General Staff Reports

Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attempts to breach the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on November 14.

“All Russian attacks in this direction were successfully repelled. The Russian forces failed to enter Kupiansk. The city remains firmly under Ukrainian control,” General Staff spokesperson Andrii Kovalev confirmed.

Kovalev added that on November 13, 2024, starting at 2:30 pm, the Russians attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in the Kupyansk direction.

Enemy assault groups attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in four waves. In total, the enemy used about 15 pieces of equipment. In particular, tanks, armored combat vehicles and an UR-77 demining unit.

The announcement followed reports from the head of the Kupyansk city military administration, Andriy Besedin, which indicated that on November 13 Russian units, including armored vehicles and a tank, had briefly entered Kupiansk but were quickly repelled, suffering significant losses in the process.

Kupiansk, a strategic logistics and railway hub, serves as a critical point in the Kharkiv region.

The city, once briefly occupied by Russian forces, was recaptured by Ukraine during a successful counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. With multiple highways and five rail lines, Kupiansk’s infrastructure remains vital for operations in the region.

Increased Russian efforts in the Kupiansk area began in early September, with forces now positioned just 2-3 kilometers from the city’s northeastern industrial perimeter. Moscow’s troops are reportedly aiming to push forward and secure a foothold along the Oskil River, which bisects Kupiansk before winter conditions set in.

In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the heavy fight in the Kupiansk sector, commending Ukrainian forces for their defense.

“I am grateful to all our units for their resilience,” he said, noting Russia’s “attempts to expand their offensive, especially in the Kupiansk direction.”