08/31/2026
Ukrainian soldiers have cleared 2 sq. km of forest north of Kupyansk from the occupiers. They continue to advance west of Dvorichnaya.
The operation was preceded by the suppression of Russian UAV activity in the area by Ukrainian forces. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on the current situation in the Kupyansk direction and analyzed the significance of the operation.
Defense forces advance in Kharkiv region
Analysts have stated that Ukrainian soldiers are making progress in the Kharkiv region. As reported by the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Charter”, the Defense Forces have cleared 2 sq. km of forested area southwest of Zapadne, now they continue to advance west of Dvorichnaya.
“The 2nd Corps Charter released a geo-tagged video showing at least 15-20 Ukrainian troops running into a wooded area. The Ukrainian forces likely conducted a platoon-sized infantry attack. The video shows Ukrainian forces operating freely in an open field, indicating that they likely successfully suppressed Russian drones in the area in advance, so that Russian forces were unable to repel the offensive,” the ISW report states.
The Charter ‘s resources indicate that the operation was carried out by fighters of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the R.U.G.
“Recently, the fighters have cleared another 2 sq. km of forest, displacing the enemy from equipped strongholds. Objective control footage from drones and helmet cameras of the R.U.G. records the result of the assault groups’ work: the enemy’s attempts to gain a foothold or counterattack have been firmly stopped, the positions have been cleared, the enemy’s trophies and documents have been collected. The fighters do not stop and move deep into the forest, not leaving their own on the battlefield,” the defenders said.
This was another stage of a broader operation, within the framework of which the defenders had previously taken control of 7.5 sq. km of forest massifs southwest of Dvorichnaya and established control over the northern part of Zapadne.
The operation was preceded by serious preparation. As noted in ISW, Ukrainian troops struck Russian manpower concentrations, unmanned ground vehicles, radars, electronic warfare systems, communication antennas, and Molniya-type strike drones in the Kupyansk direction.
“ISW has previously noted that both Ukrainian and Russian forces are attempting to resume tactical maneuver on the battlefield from 2025. Recent Ukrainian counterattacks, particularly in the Kupyansk direction, and the suppression of Russian drone-based defenses are likely part of such efforts,” the ISW material states.
As OBOZ.UA wrote, according to ISW estimates, Russia is unable to cope with the fuel crisis after the Ukrainian strikes. Therefore, the consequences of the war unleashed by the Kremlin in the Russian Federation are being felt more and more deeply at all levels.
Analysts also exposed how Gerasimov is lying about the Russian Federation’s successes in the war against Ukraine.
Sure, the liberated area is not significant by any means, but the suppression of cockroach drones making it possible is quite impressive. If they can do this over and over again, and also in other areas, then…