Russia used civilians as human shields, then shelled them near Kupiansk, Ukraine’s Khartiia says

Ukraine's Khartiia Corps has accused Russian forces of using civilians as human shields and then shelling them near a gas pipeline in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, on 13 October. The group included two women, a child, and several men, according to the Ukrainian military unit.

Khartiia warned that Russian media could use footage of the incident to accuse Ukrainian forces of attacking civilians. The corps said the shelling came from Russian-held territory and described the incident as a deliberate provocation.

The corps said Russian troops led the civilians toward the Shebelinka–Ostrogozhsk gas pipeline before the group came under repeated mortar and artillery fire. Aerial reconnaissance footage recorded casualties among the civilians, the unit said.

Russian forces used civilians as human shields before shelling them near Kupiansk, Ukraine’s Khartiia Corps alleges.

The group included two women, a child, and several men who were being led toward a gas pipeline when they came under mortar and artillery fire, according to the… pic.twitter.com/XvbcwRIwLb

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) October 13, 2026

Khartiia says Russian forces fired from occupied side of Oskil River

According to Khartiia, Ukrainian forces did not open fire on the group. 

The corps said an analysis of the explosions indicated that the shelling came from the eastern bank of the Oskil River, from territory held by Russian forces.

The unit described the incident as a deliberate provocation, warning that Russian media could use footage from the scene to falsely accuse Ukraine of attacking civilians.

Evidence to be submitted for war crimes investigation

Khartiia said it would submit the collected materials for investigation into potential war crimes.

The corps did not provide a confirmed number of civilian casualties or further details about the condition of those shown in the reconnaissance footage.

The allegations have not been independently verified.