Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of Kupiansk, a key city in the northeastern Kharkiv region, as Russian forces advance and essential services become harder to maintain through the winter, Reuters reports.
Kupiansk, a crucial rail hub on the Oskil River, was previously occupied by Russia in early 2022 and retaken by Ukraine later that year. Kharkiv Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov stated that ongoing shelling has hindered the restoration of electricity, heat, and water supplies. Evacuation centers have been established in Kharkiv, where approximately 7,000 residents remain in danger.
Russian forces have intensified their operations in eastern Ukraine and made gains in the Donetsk region, with the Ukrainian military reporting 19 battles near Kupiansk over the past 24 hours. Despite some territorial gains claimed by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that Ukrainian forces are maintaining their positions in the region.
