Kupyansk’s only city hospital ceases operations amidst shelling

The sole functioning hospital in Kupyansk has suspended its operations. Local authorities made this decision due to persistent attacks and the resulting threat to the lives of both patients and medical personnel. The head of the Kupyansk City Military Administration, Andriy Besedin, announced this on a national television broadcast.

The hospital in Kupyansk. Photo: Kharkiv region State Emergency Service

He explained that the medical facility is temporarily closed due to the risk of airstrikes.

In comments to the public media outlet “Suspilne.Kharkiv,” the head of the Kupyansk District Military Administration, Andriy Kanasevych, clarified that only one hospital had been operating in the city. He stated that the current plan involves immediately evacuating the wounded to the nearest hospitals or initially stabilising their condition before transferring them.

According to the official, the authorities had to act to protect lives. The area around the medical institution has frequently come under fire. Recently, a shell struck an educational building opposite the hospital. Strikes on the ambulance station had also been repeatedly recorded, making it too dangerous for medical workers to remain there.

As of May 15th, 2025, 1,750 residents remain in Kupyansk, while the total population of the community is approximately 2,700 people. The community is constantly under shelling; in May alone, 1,900 attacks using various types of weaponry were recorded within the community.

By way of background, on the afternoon of May 3rd, Russian forces launched a massive strike on the centre of the Velykyy Burluk settlement in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region, injuring two women. Furthermore, the Russian army dropped an aerial bomb on the building of the State Emergency Service’s fire and rescue unit in Kupyansk.

ZMINA continues to report on the ongoing international crimes in the Kharkiv Oblast.