LUGANSK, November 13. /TASS/. The Russian army made significant advances near Kupyansk in the Kharkov Region and has established a foothold on the city’s outskirts, while Kiev is pulling troops and equipment out of the area, Andrey Marochko, a military expert, told TASS.

"In a few days, our frontline units managed to advance and establish a foothold in the area northeast of the settlement of Kupyansk. Ukrainian militants responded by withdrawing their personnel and equipment from some areas, while also actively defending the city," the expert said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted two significant blockages of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk, involving more than 15,000 military personnel.