Russia claims control of Ukraine’s Kupiansk, targets Kharkiv next

Russia said Tuesday that it had captured a large portion of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk and aims to push further into the Kharkiv region, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. 

"Control over Kupiansk will allow for further advances deep into the Kharkiv region, including towards Izium and Chuguiv," the Russian army said in a statement.

The Russian forces now control over 65 percent of the buildings in the city, the statement added, though AFP was unable to independently verify the claim.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Kyiv continues to fight for control of Kupiansk, describing ongoing intense operations in the area.

Kupiansk, a key transport hub, was first seized by Russian forces in the early months of the invasion before being retaken by Ukraine. 

Kharkiv was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in a 2022 counteroffensive and is not part of the five regions that Russia announced it annexed.

Russia said its capture could facilitate an advance into the neighbouring Donetsk region.