--- title: "Operation Veles Thwarts Russian Attempts to Secure Footing in Northern Kupyansk" description: "Special operation Veles thwarted Russian attempts to secure a foothold in northern Kupyansk. Ukrainian troops traveled 15 km through underground pipelines to block the enemy." date: 2026-10-29T08:10:45.391Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/operation-veles-kupyansk-isw tags: [ukraine-war, kupyansk, isw, operation-veles, frontline-news, kharkiv] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Operation Veles Thwarts Russian Attempts to Secure Footing in Northern Kupyansk ![Ukrainian serviceman in camouflage with a weapon and optical sight during combat operations](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/29/operatsiya-veles-kupjansk-isw/operatsiya-veles-kupjansk-isw-1.webp) ## Key Points - Operation Veles thwarted Russian forces from securing northern Kupyansk - Ukrainian troops traveled over 15 km through underground pipelines - Ukrainian forces hit a Tor-M2 air defense system and radar in Kursk Oblast - Russian troops press forward toward Slovyansk and Kostiantynivka Ukrainian Defense Forces, as part of the special operation Veles, successfully halted Russian attempts to establish a foothold in the northern districts of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast. This is stated in a current analytical report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based on official data from the Ukrainian leadership and agencies as of late October 2026. ### Special Operation Details and Situation in Kupyansk Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously confirmed that during Operation Veles, Ukrainian servicemen traversed more than 15 kilometers through underground pipelines in the Kupyansk direction. Later, Viktor Trehubov, a spokesman for the Joint Forces Group of Ukraine, clarified that the timely clearing of these communications prevented a large-scale enemy penetration into the northern part of the city. According to the Ukrainian side, those Russian units that managed to infiltrate the settlement earlier are currently dispersed in positions across its northern quarters. Security forces are continuing clearance operations and stabilization of the frontline in this sector. ### Activity in Sumy and Kharkiv Directions Simultaneously with the events in Kupyansk, Russian troops launched an attack in the north of Sumy Oblast in an attempt to create a border buffer zone. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to strike enemy military targets in border regions of the Russian Federation, including the targeting of a Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system and a radar station in Kursk Oblast. Local clashes are recorded northeast of Kharkiv in the areas of Mala Volcha and Alisivka. Geolocated video footage shows Ukrainian forces striking enemy positions south of Mala Volcha, though there are no confirmed reports of significant Russian advances in these areas. ### Donetsk Oblast Offensive and Pressure on Slovyansk In the Donetsk direction, the Russian command continues implementing plans to encircle the Ukrainian defensive belt and advance toward Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and Druzhkivka. Local offensive actions east of these cities are recorded, alongside renewed strikes on civilian infrastructure, specifically targeting firefighting crews. Furthermore, Russian forces recently infiltrated Klynove north of Kostiantynivka and are striving to secure positions on the southeastern outskirts of the settlement. Such tactics pose a potential threat to the flanks of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, forcing the Ukrainian command to respond swiftly to changing conditions. ### Significance of the Operation and Future Prospects The successful execution of Operation Veles and the disruption of enemy plans in Kupyansk demonstrate the high adaptability of Ukrainian forces in positional warfare and underground tactics. Future developments at the front will depend on the ability of Ukrainian troops to hold occupied lines, suppress breakthrough attempts in the Kharkiv and Sumy sectors, and contain the pressure of superior enemy forces in Donbas. ## Accounts differ ### Control over the settlement of Barylivka in Sumy Oblast - **Russian Ministry of Defense:** Claimed the capture of Barylivka northeast of Sumy ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatsiya-veles-zavadila-armiyi-rf-zakripitisya-1793261342.html)) - **8th Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:** Refuted the information about the capture and emphasized that the settlement remains under the control of Ukrainian defenders ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatsiya-veles-zavadila-armiyi-rf-zakripitisya-1793261342.html)) *Where they agree:* Russian troops attacked in the north of Sumy Oblast as part of efforts to create a buffer zone. ### Control over the settlement of Alisivka north of Kharkiv - **Russian Ministry of Defense:** Claimed the capture of Alisivka north of Kharkiv ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatsiya-veles-zavadila-armiyi-rf-zakripitisya-1793261342.html)) - **ISW and Ukrainian sources:** There are no confirmed reports of Russian advances or the capture of Alisivka ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatsiya-veles-zavadila-armiyi-rf-zakripitisya-1793261342.html)) *Where they agree:* Russian troops attempted to infiltrate the Kharkiv direction in the area of Mala Volcha and Alisivka. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Операция "Велес" помешала армии РФ закрепиться на севере Купянска, - ISW](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/operatsiya-veles-zavadila-armiyi-rf-zakripitisya-1793261342.html) - Primary source of the ISW report and RBC-Ukraine, describing Operation Veles, the situation in Kupyansk, and conflicting claims on the Sumy and Kharkiv directions. ## FAQ ### What was the main goal of Operation Veles? The operation disrupted Russian attempts to secure a foothold in the northern part of Kupyansk after Ukrainian forces moved through underground pipelines. ### What distance did Ukrainian troops cover underground? During the operation in the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian servicemen traversed more than 15 kilometers through underground communications. ### What targets were hit in the border regions of the Russian Federation? The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported hitting a Tor-M2 air defense system, a radar station in Kursk Oblast, and an EW station in Bryansk Oblast.