Overview

• The Russian Defense Ministry says troops have blocked a Ukrainian contingent in Kupyansk, estimating up to 700 personnel inside the city with 250 already killed.
• The ministry reports controlling about 5,600 of 8,600 buildings in the city and describes the use of a so-called underground assault via engineering communications.
• Over the past month of fighting for the city, the ministry claims Ukrainian forces lost more than 1,800 personnel, 36 tanks, two MLRS launchers, and 137 artillery pieces and mortars.
• Moscow frames Kupyansk as a logistics hub whose capture would open routes toward Izium, Chuhuiv, Volchansk, and deeper positions around Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
• Separate Russian security sources report heavy losses for Ukraine’s 225th regiment on the Sumy axis and say two rocket strikes hit the 425th regiment and the 47th brigade south of Yunakovka, with casualties still being assessed.