Russian advance near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, may soon cut the city’s main supply route, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 6 August. Russian forces likely reached the western outskirts of the city and secured positions from which they can threaten key ground lines of communication.

Russian troops likely seize Sobolivka and Myrne

Geolocated footage from 6 August shows Russian forces advanced south of Sobolivka, immediately west of Kupiansk. ISW assessed that they likely seized both Sobolivka and Myrne, just north of it. A Russian milblogger claimed troops are close to interdicting the H-26 Kupiansk–Shevchenkove highway — the main Ukrainian supply line into the city — located about one kilometer south of Sobolivka.

Envelopment instead of direct assault

ISW noted that Russian forces may be preparing to envelop Kupiansk rather than attack it directly. This fits their recent pattern of flanking settlements instead of launching frontal assaults, using tactical pressure to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and defenses.

Three possible next moves

ISW outlined three possible Russian actions after these advances. They may push west toward Shevchenkove or northwest toward Velykyi Burluk to build a buffer in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Alternatively, forces could shift to the Oskil River’s east bank to support operations in Luhansk Oblast, or redeploy to Kostyantynivka, Pokrovsk, or Novopavlivka to aid efforts in Donetsk Oblast.

“Ukrainian forces advanced near Chasiv Yar. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv and western Zaporizhzhia oblasts and near Kupiansk, Lyman, Siversk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk,” ISW added.