Masiutivka
Masiutivka (Ukrainian: Масютівка, Russian: Масютовка, romanized: Masyutovka) is a village in Kupiansk Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. During the Russian invasion in 2022, the village was captured early in the war by Russian forces, but was regained by Ukrainian forces likely sometime in early November. On 15 May 2023, a renewed local Russian offensive recaptured the village. Russian forces have maintained control of the village since then, and as of mid-July, have used area surrounding the village as a grouping point to stage attacks with the intent to cross the Oskil.
Masiutivka
Масютівка | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Masiutivka  Masiutivka | |
| Coordinates: 49°48′49″N 37°41′08″E | |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Oblast |  Kharkiv Oblast |
| Raion |  Kupiansk Raion |
| Founded | 1780 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Dvorichna settlement hromada |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.248 km2 (0.096 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 22 |
| • Density | 89/km2 (230/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 62733 |
| Area code | +380 5750 |
| KOATUU code | 6321883503 |
| CATOTTG code | UA63080050260095484[1] |
Geography
The village is located on the left bank of the Oskil river, below the smaller Vilshana river.
The village consists of scattered houses located in a large pine forest. The closest railway station is located at Movchanov at a distance of 2 km (1.2 mi) away.
History
According to the 2001 census, the village had a population of 22 people, who lived in two of the three estates located in the village.
On 12 June 2020; Decree No. 725-r of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine placed the village in the administration of the Dvorichna settlement hromada,[2] and on 17 July became part of the Kupiansk Raion as a result of administrative-territorial reform which abolished the Dvorichna Raion.[3]
Russian invasion of Ukraine
At the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Masiutivka was occupied by Russian troops in their initial advance into Ukraine. The outskirts of the village were likely retaken after the successful 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive by Ukraine, which pushed Russian forces to the Oskil river bordering the village.[4] On 12 November 2022, the village was referred to as being defended by Ukrainian forces, meaning it was recaptured on a prior unspecified date,[5] which was further supported by an update to DeepStateMap.Live on 20 November claiming the same thing.[6]
On 13 and 25 April 2023, attacks against the village increased from Russian forces,[7][8] which would become an offensive on 10 May, but would turn out to be unsuccessful.[9][10] Undeterred, Russian forces carried out airstrikes on the village the following day,[11] and would attempt to take the village again on 14[12] and 15 May, which would ultimately be successful.[13]
On 17 July 2023, Russian forces would attempt to further their advances from the village and attempt to cross the Oskil. While the Ukrainian General Staff reported that the offensive was unsuccessful, a Russian milblogger claimed that the offensive captured 1–2 km (1.2 mi) of land in this direction.[14] This claim would be supported by other milbloggers and the Russian Ministry of Defense two days later on 19 July.[15]
References
- "Дворічанська територіальна громада" [Dvorichan territorial community] (in Ukrainian). Decentralisation in Ukraine. 2022. p. 3. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- Про визначення адміністративних центрів та затвердження територій територіальних громад Харківської області [On the determination of administrative centers and approval of the territories of territorial communities of the Kharkiv region] (Report) (in Ukrainian). Kyiv: Verkhovna Rada. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- Про утворення та ліквідацію районів [About the formation and liquidation of districts] (Report) (in Ukrainian). Kyiv: Verkhovna Rada. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- "Ukrainian Push Slowed by Rain, River and Russian Holdouts". Voice of America. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "Ukrainian forces repel enemy attacks near 14 settlements". Ukrinform. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
Over the past 24 hours, units of the Defense Forces have repelled Russian attacks outside the settlements of Masiutivka
- "DeepStateMAP | Map of the war in Ukraine". DeepStateMap.Live. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
The situation in Kyslivka, Pershyi Lyman, Hryanykivka and Synkivka has been clarified - they were released earlier.
- "Heavy fighting ongoing for Bakhmut – General Staff report". Yahoo! News. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
Russian forces attacked […] Masyutivka
- "Russians kill 2 civilians in Donetsk Oblast and 1 in Kharkiv Oblast in a day". Yahoo! Sports. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
the occupiers shelled […] Masiutivka
- Hird, Karolina; Bailey, Riley; Philipson, Layne; Wolkov, Nicole; Kagan, Frederick W. (10 May 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 10, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces in the Kupyansk direction attempted to improve their tactical positions and conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Masyukivka
- Yuskiv, Katya (10 May 2023). "ВСЕ ТЕМЫ Россияне пытались наступать на Харьковщине, но отступили с потерями" [ALL TOPICS Russians tried to advance in Kharkiv region, but retreated with losses] (in Russian). Korrespondent. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "Ukrainian defenders repel almost 40 Russian attacks". Ukrainska Pravda. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
the occupiers did not conduct any offensive actions. They carried out air strikes in the areas of Masiutivka
- Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Hird, Karolina; Philipson, Layne; Kagan, Frederick W. (14 May 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 14, 2023". Retrieved 19 May 2023.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Masyutivka
- Stepanenko, Kateryna; Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Philipson, Layne; Kagan, Frederick W. (15 May 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 15, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
Russian sources claimed that Russian forces captured Masyutivka […]
- Mappes, Grace; Hird, Karolina; Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (17 July 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 17, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar stated that Russian forces have been advancing in the Kupyansk direction since the end of last week and are attacking Ukrainian positions near Masyutivka […] in order to push Ukrainian forces across the Oskil River. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations south of Masyutivka, and a Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have advanced up to one to two kilometers in the Kupyansk direction.
- Stepanenko, Kateryna; Bailey, Riley; Evans, Angelica; Barros, George; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 19, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
The Russian MoD claimed that Russian units advanced more than one kilometer in depth and two kilometers in width in the Kupyansk direction […] Other Russian sources claimed that Russian forces took control of […] positions near Masyutivka […] A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the 6th Combined Arms Army (Western Military District) have been assaulting Ukrainian strongholds west of Lyman Pershyi for several days and have recently advanced two kilometers in the area.