Recent reports from Ukraine’s military indicate that Russian forces suffered significant losses after an attack by Ukrainian troops in the Kupiansk area. Ukrainian officials released dramatic video footage showcasing Russian military vehicles engulfed in flames following the assault.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, reported on Friday that Ukrainian forces successfully thwarted a major Russian mechanized attack—marking the first such engagement since last winter.
A two-minute clip revealed aerial views of burning military vehicles amidst plumes of smoke rising into the air. The accompanying post stated that Russian forces attempted to advance on positions held by Ukraine’s 77th separate airmobile brigade and the National Guard during two distinct operations.
The post emphasized that, despite the overwhelming force, Russian troops failed to penetrate Ukrainian defenses. The Ukrainian military successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them back to their original positions.
Screen grab via social media
According to Ukrainian reports, the Russian offensive resulted in the destruction of two tanks, two armored personnel carriers, and an infantry fighting vehicle, with surviving troops reportedly fleeing in disarray.
The ISW noted that the visual evidence indicated Russian armored vehicles were packed closely together, making them vulnerable to Ukrainian fire—a common issue observed in Russian assaults that falter.
The think tank elaborated that this clash occurred near Pishchane, southeast of Kupiansk, as Russian forces attempted to seize ground along the Oskil River.
Ukrainian military sources affirmed that Russian troops were pushed back to their starting locations near Pishchane, and ISW stated that surveillance footage confirmed Moscow’s forces made no territorial gains during this attack.
Meanwhile, in other developments, Ukrainian officials disclosed that a Russian strike targeted a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy, resulting in nine fatalities and injuring twelve others. According to Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s interior minister, the initial strike on the hospital was followed by a second attack as rescuers were arriving—an event referred to as a “double tap” strike.