Ukrainian special forces liberate Kruhliakivka, paving way for enhanced defense of Kupiansk

Ukraine's special forces (HUR) liberated the village of Kruhliakivka in Kharkiv Oblast from Russian invaders, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. The operation to regain control over the critical defensive area near the city of Kupiansk took place from 7 October to 14 October. Russian troops captured Kupiansk at the beginning of the large-scale invasion in February 2022. It played a key role in military supply, serving as a transit point for military personnel, weapons, and equipment coming from Belgorod Oblast to Russian troops operating near Izium in Ukraine. However, in September 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a counteroffensive and liberated Kupiansk, forcing the Russians to retreat and pushing them far east beyond the Oskil River. In the summer of 2023, Russian forces began another offensive on the Kupiansk front, but progress was slow despite the size of their military grouping. Nevertheless, by the autumn of 2024, the Russian army managed to approach Kupiansk at a threatening distance. The city is under constant shelling, with most residents having left before the evacuation order.

"Due to the professional and brave actions of the HUR special forces, the Russians in Kruhlyakivka lost more than a platoon of infantry—invaders were eliminated in close combat," the intelligence agency reported.

During the assault, Ukrainian special forces managed to capture Russian soldiers and gather essential intelligence data.

"As a result of the operation, the enemy was driven out of the area, and the routes used by the occupiers have been mined," the HUR claimed.

Earlier, Russian forces advanced to within four kilometers of Kupiansk. The Ukrainian military continued to destroy the occupiers, but the fighting dynamics posed a danger to the civilian population of this area.

Kharkiv officials urge residents of Kupiansk district to evacuate as Russian troops approach again

For the Ukrainian forces to defend the land effectively, the authorities sought ways to evacuate as many civilians as possible. Related:

• ISW: Russian forces lose five divisions’ worth of equipment near Pokrovsk
• Frontline report: Russian forces race against time in Pokrovsk offensive as mud season looms
• ISW: Russian offensive in Ukraine to culminate in coming months “if not weeks”