City of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast closed to civilians and left with no power, water or gas

The city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast has been completely closed to civilian entry; only the military is allowed in, and no critical infrastructure is currently functioning.

Source: Andrii Besedin, Head of Kupiansk City Military Administration, speaking to public broadcaster Suspilne on 28 September

Details: Besedin stated that the situation is critical, with Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups present in the city and a counter-sabotage operation ongoing.

Quote: "The situation is critical, the Russians are still in the city, there are sabotage and reconnaissance groups present, and a counter-sabotage operation is underway.

Unfortunately, Kupiansk is currently a closed area, the city is entirely off-limits to any services. The only people who can enter are our military. Evacuation is extremely difficult; the only current way to leave is to walk out of Kupiansk. Our services – volunteers, the State Emergency Service, the police – will pick people up and take them to safer locations. Or they can ask the military, and they will definitely help."

Details: Besedin reported that 1,640 civilians remain in the Kupiansk hromada, including 680 people in the right-bank part of the city. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

He stressed that their lives are under constant threat not only due to combat but also because of deteriorating weather and the total absence of critical infrastructure: there is no electricity, water, gas supply, or any social services.

Besedin said Russian forces continuously use artillery, mortars and tanks in Kupiansk. The most serious threat, however, comes from FPV drones targeting civilians.

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