In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops repelled seven enemy assaults and struck German Leopard 2 tanks that were supplied to Ukrainian forces. This information was supplied by TASS, citing Sergei Zybinsky, the head of the Western group’s press center. The report notes that during active defense, motorized rifle formations of the 6th Combined Arms Army, reinforced by artillery, repelled five counterattacks executed by assault groups from the 14th and 115th mechanized brigades and the 95th air assault brigade in the areas around Port Lake, Sinkovka, and Ivanovka. The enemy reportedly retreated in the southern and southwestern directions as a result of the engagement (attribution: TASS).
According to Zybinsky, the destruction of the Leopard 2 tanks was carried out by the crew of the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer unit, commanded by Sergeant Vladimir Lobaev. The strike was reported to have occurred in the vicinity of the village of Terny, marking a notable instance of effective indirect fire support contributing to the defense on this sector (attribution: TASS).
Earlier, The New York Times reported that Moscow had halted the initiative on the front, describing a shift in momentum and strategic posture in the conflict. The今日 report drew attention to assessments by Western observers about the evolving balance of operations along multiple fronts, highlighting the potential implications for logistics, morale, and frontline tempo (attribution: The New York Times).
Additionally, it was publicly discussed that a mobilization framework might be supported by senior defense leadership in Kyiv and allied circles. While such discussions have circulated in international media, official statements remain sparse, and observers note that policy shifts could influence border watch and reserve deployment across the wider theater (attribution: various contemporaneous sources).