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Ukrainian Forces Maintain Control Over Most of Kupiansk Despite Russian Claims
Ukrainian Defense Forces control nearly 90 percent of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, contradicting Russian claims about the strategic city. The head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, strongly refuted Russian assertions of control over the embattled eastern Ukrainian city on Sunday.
“The majority of Kupiansk is now controlled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and a cleansing operation of Russian units is ongoing,” Kovalenko stated, accusing Russian military leadership of deliberately misleading even their own president.
“All Russian officials, from the head of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to Belosova, continue to lie to Putin himself,” he added. “I do not exclude that the old fascist himself believes their reports completely. Such actions can be linked not only to the fear of paying for defeats with positions, but more to the desire of Putin’s elites and entourage to continue the war at any cost, which is why they tell him about victories.”
Ukrainian military officials have provided additional details supporting their claims of control over the city. Colonel Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for the Joint Forces of Ukraine, confirmed on Friday that Ukrainian troops continue operations to clear Kupiansk, with an estimated 100-200 Russian servicemen still present in certain areas.
The National Guard Corps “Charter” reported earlier in the week that Defense Forces had reached the Oskil River, effectively cutting off supply routes to Russian forces in the city. This tactical achievement significantly hampers the Russian military’s ability to maintain its positions and support personnel in the contested area.
President Volodymyr Zelensky personally visited Kupiansk on December 12, recording a video near a damaged city entrance marker. His high-profile visit to the frontline city served as a visible demonstration of Ukraine’s continued presence there, despite the intense fighting.
Security analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that Russia’s continued insistence on progress in Kupiansk serves a strategic psychological purpose. According to the ISW, such statements form part of a cognitive warfare campaign designed to create the impression that Ukrainian defenses are collapsing, potentially influencing decision-making in Kyiv and among Western allies.
Kupiansk holds significant strategic value for both sides. The city serves as a crucial logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, with rail and road connections that facilitate troop movements and supply distribution. Initially captured by Russian forces in the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainian forces recaptured it during their successful Kharkiv counteroffensive in September of that year.
Since summer 2023, Russian forces have intensified efforts to regain control of the city. Military analysts note that Russian capture of Kupiansk would threaten Ukrainian defensive positions along the eastern front and potentially allow Russian forces to encircle Ukrainian units positioned on the eastern bank of the Oskil River.
The battle for Kupiansk reflects the broader pattern of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where both sides continue to fight for strategic towns and cities that could determine control of the wider Donbas region. Despite Russia’s claims and continued offensive operations, Ukrainian military leadership maintains that they hold the advantage in this critical location.
As winter sets in across the region, bringing challenging fighting conditions, control of urban centers like Kupiansk takes on additional importance for both military and civilian populations facing harsh weather conditions and limited resources.
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8 Comments
It’s concerning to see Russian officials apparently misleading even their own president about the situation in Kupiansk. This level of disinformation is troubling and makes it even harder to get a clear picture of events.
You’re right, the lack of transparency and truthfulness from the Russian side makes it very difficult to trust any of their claims. Verifying information from independent, credible sources is crucial.
The Ukrainian military’s ability to retake and hold strategic locations like Kupiansk is a testament to their determination and resilience in the face of Russian aggression. I hope they can continue to make progress.
This conflict has been marked by a lot of propaganda and misinformation. It’s important to stay vigilant and rely on authoritative, fact-based reporting to understand what’s really happening on the ground.
The battle for Kupiansk highlights the importance of Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts. Maintaining control of this city could be a significant blow to Russian forces in the region.
Interesting to see the ongoing battle for control of Kupiansk. It’s troubling to hear of Russian disinformation attempts, but it’s good that Ukrainian forces seem to be maintaining their hold on this strategic city.
This conflict has been marked by a lot of propaganda and misleading claims from both sides. It’s important to rely on credible, fact-based reporting to get an accurate picture of the situation on the ground.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and verifying information from multiple reliable sources is crucial, especially in the fog of war.