Russia strikes column of civilians on so-called evacuation from Kupiansk, Ukraine says
On October 13, Russian forces struck a group of civilians being led out of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, toward the Shebelinka–Ostrohozk gas pipeline during a so-called "evacuation," Ukraine's Joint Forces Command and the 2nd National Guard Corps "Khartiia" reported. Ukraine's National Guard corps said the group — which included two women, a child and several men — was shelled from the eastern bank of the Oskil, with Ukrainian forces not opening fire. Both Ukrainian sources described the strike as a deliberate provocation and "a new page of Russian war crimes" in the Kupiansk area.
Key points
- Russian forces struck civilians leaving Kupiansk during a so-called evacuation organized by the occupiers on October 13
- Ukraine's 2nd National Guard Corps 'Khartiia' says Russian forces led the group toward the Shebelinka–Ostrohozk gas pipeline and then shelled them with mortars and artillery
- The civilian group included two women, a child and several men
- 'Khartiia' assessed the fire came from the eastern bank of the Oskil and that Ukrainian forces did not open fire
- Reconnaissance drone footage from 'Khartiia' shows casualties among the civilians; Ukrainian officials said the count was still being verified
- Ukraine's Joint Forces Command described the strike as 'a new page of Russian war crimes in the Kupiansk area' and the evacuation as, in substance, forced deportation
- 'Khartiia' said documented materials would be handed over for a war crimes investigation
What happened
On the morning of October 13, Russian forces led a group of civilians from Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, toward the Shebelinka–Ostrohozk gas pipeline during what the occupiers called an "evacuation," Ukraine's 2nd Corps of the National Guard "Khartiia" reported. The group — consisting of two women, a child and several men — was repeatedly hit with mortar and artillery fire along the route, according to "Khartiia." Based on the nature of the impacts, the corps determined the fire came from the eastern bank of the Oskil from the side of the occupiers, and said Ukrainian forces did not open fire. Reconnaissance drone footage released by "Khartiia" shows casualties among the civilians. Ukraine's Joint Forces Command (UOS) also recorded the strike, said the number of victims was still being verified, and described it as "a new page of Russian war crimes in the Kupiansk area" and the so-called evacuation as, in substance, the forced deportation of civilians. Materials documenting the incident have been transferred for a war crimes investigation.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Both official and unit-level Ukrainian sources frame the October 13 strike as a deliberate Russian provocation and a new chapter of Russian war crimes in the Kupiansk area. They describe the "evacuations" as forced deportation of the local population and note that Russian forces had used the same Shebelinka–Ostrohozk gas pipeline route repeatedly in prior weeks, with civilians used as a human shield while Russian soldiers moved alongside them. Ukrainian coverage stresses that Ukrainian forces did not return fire and that forensic assessment placed the origin of the strikes on the eastern bank of the Oskil, in order to preempt Russian attempts to blame Ukraine for the casualties. "Khartiia" warned that Russian media may publish footage blaming Ukraine and said a similar manipulation had already been circulated in Russian Telegram channels in early October.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian sources differ on the weapon used: Joint Forces Command spokesperson Viktor Trehubov said the preliminary indication was that Russians struck the civilian column with a drone (UAV), while "Khartiia" stated the group was shelled with mortars and artillery from the eastern bank of the Oskil. They also differ on the casualty count: Ukrainian officials said the number was still being verified, while the Russian propaganda channel Shot claimed about 10 people had been in the group with one killed and two wounded and blamed Ukraine for the shelling without providing evidence.
Background
The Shebelinka–Ostrohozk gas pipeline had previously been used by Russian forces to covertly insert assault troops into Kupiansk, and during Ukraine's counter-offensive phase it has been repurposed as an exit route, with civilians being moved through the pipe as a human shield alongside Russian personnel.