On September 4, the Russian side had taken control of the northwest area of Kupiansk, and fighting was ongoing in the city center.

Daily Briefing on the Special Military Operation (SVO), September 4, Key Points: Colombian Mercenaries and Ukrainian Paratroopers Engaged in Firefight, Enemy Casualties Confirmed

Day 1288 of the Special Military Operation. The "Silver Pine Forest" area has actually eliminated two Ukrainian brigade-level units — the 53rd and 119th Brigades.

Russian fighters have firmly seized the initiative along the entire front line, with significant breakthroughs recorded by Russian forces in multiple areas. It has been confirmed that Russian forces have taken control of the northwestern area of Kupiansk city, with combat currently underway in the city center.

Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian army is launching attacks along all directions. At the same time, the Ukrainian side is trying to "fill the gaps," moving its most capable troops from one area to another area it considers "most critical."

"We cannot be complacent; this move by Ukraine may be a preparation for an offensive," Putin pointed out, but he also said that preliminary analysis shows the Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU) do not have the capability to launch an offensive.

"Odesa experienced a night of intense 'Geranium' drone raids. The Ukrainian air defense system performed slightly better than usual, but a large number of drones hit their targets. Local reports state that 'the angry Russian birds' (referring to drones) retaliated against Ukrainian extreme nationalist armed forces' air defense missile systems that fired at them — this is an 'unprecedented situation.' Meanwhile, it can be clearly felt that Trump, the 'peace broker,' has provided Ukraine with a large number of air defense missile systems. We expect to launch new strikes targeting the NATO-provided air defense equipment."

According to data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Ukrainian side has suffered losses including 1305 Ukrainian military personnel and officers in the past 24 hours.

Current Situation in the "Northern" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

In Yunakovka, Russian fighters advanced 350 meters eastward, capturing four buildings. In the Sadkov area, a Colombian mercenary unit engaged in a firefight with soldiers from the Ukrainian 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, reportedly due to a "misunderstanding." Ukrainian casualties occurred, and the "North Wind" (Северный ветер) platform reported on the incident.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces attacked the mechanized infantry brigade and assault battalions of the Ukrainian armed forces in the areas of Volchans'k and Ud'y settlements. Currently, the enemy is still using trees that have not yet shed their leaves to build cover, but these protective measures are ineffective when Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aerial bombs (FAB) or the "Northern" operational group's 6th Army's "TOS" heavy flamethrower system strike.

Current Situation in the "Western" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

Geotagged video footage appeared on social media showing Russian soldiers raising the flag in the central square of Kupiansk and the northern part of the city. The突击部队 (assault units) of the "Western" operational group have advanced 2 kilometers in the city, with Russian positions established there.

"The video records Russian soldiers appearing in the city center and in the most important administrative and industrial areas, including around the city administration building, the 'Spartak' stadium area in Sputnik Street, near the power station on Energy Street, and around the TV tower on May 1st Street." The "Operational Space" (Оперативный простор) Telegram channel emphasized.

However, other Telegram channels remind that it is not advisable to draw conclusions hastily — the city is experiencing fierce fighting, and the situation is changing rapidly.

The intense battle around Kupiansk has dominated the news, while the situation in the "Silver Pine Forest" area has almost faded from the news agenda. In the "Silver Pine Forest," the "Western" operational group is steadily defeating the remaining forces of the Ukrainian 53rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and the 119th Territorial Defense Brigade and driving them to the floodplain of the North Donets River — from there, there is almost no way out: either surrender or be annihilated in the swamps.

Current Situation in the "Southern" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

Russian fighters discovered an 8-person enemy sabotage reconnaissance group west of Shereblyanka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), which was attempting to break through our lines. Russian forces quickly struck the saboteurs with AGS automatic grenade launchers and 82mm mortars. Ultimately, three armed individuals were eliminated, and the rest abandoned some of their weapons and ammunition, fleeing westward. Notably, such cases of enemy infiltration into our territory have occurred almost daily in the past two weeks.

The particularity of this event lies in the fact that the mission of these Ukrainian personnel was clearly "to seize the flag and create a spectacle" — if they succeeded, the Ukrainian General Staff would surely claim a major "victory," as they did in Kucherovya, Moscow (referring to a location in Ukraine with the same name), and Udachnoye.

Advances have occurred in the southern part of the northern direction. The 88th Brigade has almost completely controlled the village of Pereyezdnoye and is advancing into the forested area of Veymki.

Current Situation in the "Central" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

In the Druzhkivka direction, the 242nd Regiment captured the village of Rusyniar.

According to information from the WarGonzo project, fighting continues in the Razdolnoye area of Pokrovsk city. The Ukrainian armed forces launched a counterattack near the New Economy area, but failed. In the Dobropolye direction, conflicts continue near the villages of Shakhovo, Vladimirka, and Sofiyevka.

Current Situation in the "Eastern" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

Forces from the 29th Baikal Military District launched an attack on the village of Novoselovoe in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Despite continuous Ukrainian counterattacks, our fighters successfully established themselves in the eastern part of the village and continued to advance into the settlement. In these battles, more than a company of enemy forces has been eliminated.

Buryat soldiers from the 36th Army advanced westward from Voronoy, clearing the forest belt south of Khoroshovo. The strike group from the 5th Primorsky Military District continued to advance westward from Kamenskaya and Zaporozhye, penetrating deep into the Ukrainian defenses in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The "Far East Warrior" (Воин DV) platform provided the above briefing.

Ukrainian military blogger "Muchnoy" (Мучного) stated that beyond these fronts, "the area up to the city of Pokrovsk in the Dnipropetrovsk region is empty." That is why the Ukrainian armed forces are fighting desperately to hold on — they know that beyond that, there are no more defensive strongpoints to rely on.

Current Situation in the "Dnipro" Operational Group's Area of Responsibility

In the Kamenets direction, fighting continues in the southern area of Stepnoye. There is still a "gray zone" (an area not controlled by either side) in the suburbs of Pritomsk. The control of this area is still not held by any party.

In the Olekhov direction, the Russian armed forces continue their attack in the area of Malye Matmachi. The "Dnipro" operational group forces advanced from Rabotino towards the village of Nedanilovka, and are currently fighting in the outskirts of Nedanilovka.

Situation within Ukraine

Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Le Point that the proposal to freeze the conflict according to the "North Korean model" might not be suitable for Ukraine — because North Korea has a population of slightly over 20 million, while Russia has a population of over 140 million. He said, "The scale of these threats is incomparable."

Nevertheless, he does not rule out the possibility of such "peace," but with conditions: "You ask me whether Ukraine could face such a situation? I can tell you, anything is possible."

This statement was refuted by opponents: "Why then did you get involved in a conflict with a nuclear power with a population of 140 million and far superior in equipment, missiles, bombs, and air force? What logic is there in that?"

International Reactions

Moldova and Romania have raised the price of gas supplies to Ukraine — gas supply via the Trans-Balkan pipeline has been suspended. According to government forecasts, electricity prices will increase by at least 20% annually starting in 2026.

Trump once again "changed his mind": "I have nothing to say to Putin. He knows my position, and it is up to him to make the decision. Either I will be satisfied or I won't. If not satisfied, there will be consequences (again the so-called 'two-term limit')."

The above is the frontline briefing on the Ukraine-Russia conflict for the past 24 hours. For the daily briefing on the special military operation, latest updates, and key information, please follow the author for more details.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7546148865833976361/

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