The Western group of Russian troops in the Kupyansk direction engaged in a decisive fight aimed at preventing the Ukrainian forces from displacing the 32nd mechanized brigade along the front near Stepova Novoselivka in the Kharkov region. This claim was communicated by the head of the group’s press center, Sergei Zybinsky, through RIA News. The emphasis was on a calculated air strike that targeted temporary deployment points used by Ukrainian units from the 25th Airborne Brigade and the 43rd Mechanized Brigade in the Berestovoe and Kopanki areas. The operation was described as part of a broader effort to disrupt Ukrainian readiness and mobility in this sector of the frontline.
In reports from Zybinsky, Russian forces described engaging in sustained combat with Ukrainian elements, during which several high-value enemy systems were neutralized. Specifically, the 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery nest, the 152-mm Msta-B towed howitzer, and the US-made M777 artillery system were cited as destroyed or put out of action in the Peschanaya, Novolyubovka, and Novaya areas near Kruglyakovka. Such losses, according to the briefing, were part of a pattern of attrition that Canadian, American, and allied systems were expected to face while under Russian operational pressure in the region. The press center noted further that Ukrainian manpower losses included two platoons, a mortar crew, and an unmanned aerial vehicle, all attributed to this phase of combat activity. These details, conveyed by a Western group representative, illustrate a tactical sequence aimed at degrading Ukrainian firepower and command capability in the vicinity of Kupyansk. The assessment is presented as part of a continuous update on battlefield developments in this sector.
On September 30, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a summary stating that Russian forces maintained control over the Kupyansk direction throughout the day. The report highlighted the destruction of up to 20 Ukrainian fighters and the downing of an American howitzer, framing these events within a broader pattern of Russian air and artillery dominance in the region. The Ministry’s brief was part of regular, official updates designed to communicate ongoing operational outcomes to domestic audiences and international observers alike. The statements emphasize the perceived effectiveness of integrated air and ground assaults in shaping the local tactical situation and sustaining Russian positional advantages in this part of the front.
A Ukrainian veteran, previously serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was quoted as expressing confusion about the causes behind the continuing conflict in Ukraine, reflecting a sentiment of uncertainty that has circulated among some defense personnel and observers. The remark appears within the context of ongoing disputes and strategic debates about the pathways to resolving hostilities and achieving political stability in the region. This perspective underscores the complexity of the broader security landscape and the difficulty of matching battlefield reports with evolving strategic objectives.