Russian forces claimed this week to have captured key positions in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, paving the way for a possible advance into the neighboring region of Kharkiv.
On Aug. 10, Vitaly Ganchev, head of Kharkiv’s Moscow-appointed military-civil administration, claimed that Russian forces currently stood only “a few kilometers” from the strategic city of Kupiansk.
Located in eastern Kharkiv, Kupiansk is an important administrative center and railway junction.
Russia captured the city, along with much of eastern Kharkiv, within days of its initial invasion of eastern Ukraine early last year.
But Russian troops withdrew from Kharkiv last September, leaving the region—including Kupiansk—to advancing Ukrainian forces.
At the time, Moscow described the move as a “strategic withdrawal,” while Kyiv—and most Western media outlets—hailed it as a game-changing Russian defeat.
But almost one year later, despite an ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russian forces now appear poised to return to Kharkiv—starting with the city of Kupiansk. Russian forces have recently captured five key positions in the area, including the settlement of Novoselovskoye, according to Mr. Ganchev.
“They’re taking more favorable positions outside certain settlements—positions the Ukrainians held yesterday,” he said in televised remarks.
As more positions are captured, he added, “new defense lines are being drawn up and consolidated.”
Mr. Ganchev went on to assert that the rapidly changing frontline would “soon be positioned for a large-scale offensive on Kharkiv.”
His assertions coincide with recent statements from the Russian Defense Ministry.
On Aug. 11, a ministry spokesman claimed that Russian forces had “improved their tactical position” near two settlements in the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have likewise confirmed that fierce fighting remains underway on the regional border between Luhansk and Kharkiv.
Speaking on Ukrainian national television, Ruslan Muzychuk, a spokesman for Ukraine’s National Guard, said that Russian troops—backed by tanks, aircraft, and artillery—were currently amassed in the area.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, recently reported “intense” fighting near Kupiansk, saying key positions in the volatile region were “constantly” changing hands.
On Aug. 10, Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s outspoken deputy defense minister, said that Russia had “formed an offensive group” and was now attempting to advance on Kupiansk.
Civilians Evacuated
The Epoch Times couldn’t independently verify battlefield assessments by either side.But reports of Russian forces advancing on Kharkiv were further confirmed on Aug. 10, when Kyiv ordered the evacuation of thousands of civilians from towns in the region.
According to Ukraine’s military administration in the Kupiansk district, residents must comply with the order or sign documents assuming responsibility for their own safety.
Oleg Sinegubov, head of Kharkiv’s military administration, has said the evacuation order would likely apply to 53 towns—roughly 11,000 people—in the Kupiansk district.
Russia launched its invasion of eastern Ukraine in February of last year. Last September, it effectively annexed four regions, including Luhansk.
Moscow, however, continues to view the Kharkiv region as Ukrainian territory.
Kyiv and its Western allies decry the Russian invasion and subsequent annexations as unprovoked acts of aggression.
Moscow, for its part, says its “special military operation” aims to protect Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and halt the further expansion of the NATO alliance.
Almost 18 months since the initial invasion, the ongoing conflict shows little sign of ending anytime soon.
Russia remains in control of most of the territory it initially captured, while Kyiv’s two-month-old counteroffensive has failed to make any significant breakthroughs.
