Battles near Balakleya
The Ukrainian forces aimed to envelop Balakliya, but their advance was ultimately repelled. The report came from a Russian state broadcaster, citing Vitaly Ganchev, the head of the Kharkiv region administration. He stated that Ukrainian troops managed to push the defensive line slightly in a portion of the region, but were stopped again, leaving Balakliya under Russian control.
According to Ganchev, the city remains stable and populated, though it endures ongoing bombardment, similar to nearby settlements. In a Telegram briefing, Yulia Martovalieva, editor-in-chief of the RT Russian service, described a difficult night with continuing clashes in the morning, based on field sources.
Ganchev added that Izyum is prepared to respond to any outcome and that no one will abandon the city. Field reports cited by Martovalieva mentioned a reduction in Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the vicinity of the area near Izyum and Balakleya. Another Telegram channel noted that Kiev had not issued formal public comments, while Zelenskiy had recently referenced positive developments from the Kharkiv region.
Politika Strana suggested that Ukrainian forces were pushing to seize a strategically important crossroads near Kunye, to the east of Balakliya and north of Izyum.
On the morning of September 8, the Institute for War Studies, a U.S. think tank, asserted that Ukrainian forces had advanced about 20 kilometers and seized roughly 400 square kilometers of land west of their positions. The center called the counterattack northwest of Izyum highly effective and noted the use of surprise tactics by Ukrainian units. Russian military correspondents reported the risk of a Balakliya attack several weeks earlier.
A Russian Telegram channel associated with military correspondents circulated footage showing the use of heavy flamethile systems toward Balakliya, highlighting the deployment of modern weapons in the area.
Estimates indicate that a portion of Ukrainian troops deployed toward Balakliya included personnel trained by NATO, comprising both defensive forces and special operations units.
Earlier, the Military Correspondents channel from the same outlet reported that authorities had warned and dispatched forces to repel the Ukrainian assault near Balakliya, with reserves arriving to bolster progress as the Bulgarian city was described as blocked by enemy forces penetrating deep into Russian territory.
Kupyansk
On September 7, WarGonzo reported that Ukrainian forces struck Kupyansk with multiple missiles from HIMARS, penetrating the defense. The report also noted an ongoing Ukrainian push toward Shevchenkove. Several Telegram channels reported continued clashes around Kupyansk and related areas.
Regional authorities announced evacuations for women, children, and other residents due to ongoing shelling. State news agencies quoted officials describing the evacuation as a response to threats and damage to infrastructure from Ukrainian attacks, with assessments that the broader Kupyansk district faced similar risks.
Officials emphasised that evacuations were being organized to protect civilians while a comprehensive district-wide relocation plan was not announced at that time.
Under the control of the Russian Armed Forces
During the Russian special operation in Ukraine, portions of the Kharkiv region were placed under Russian administration. Four district administrations were established in Volchansk, Izyum, Kupyansk, and Kazachya Lopan, with a regional population around 230,000 people. Residents received allowances and pensions, state employees began receiving salaries, and the ruble circulated alongside the Ukrainian hryvnia.