13/12/2025
forces have reported an important tactical success in the direction in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where fierce fighting has continued in recent weeks. The command of the Defense Forces said that Ukrainian units carried out a counteroffensive, liberated the northwestern outskirts of the city, and blocked a group of servicemen by cutting them off from ground supply routes. According to Ukrainian data, about 200 Russian soldiers have been trapped in what is described as a “cauldron”, while the northwestern part of Kupiansk is now under Ukrainian control. The operation involved units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Special Operations Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine, and territorial defense units. Russian sources had previously claimed that the city was under Moscow’s control, assertions that Kyiv disputes.
Experts note that Kupiansk, a key transport hub and strategic point in northeastern Ukraine, has repeatedly been the scene of intense fighting since the start of the full-scale conflict. Recent developments underscore that control over this section of the front remains crucial for both and , influencing the dynamics of military operations and the course of diplomatic efforts to resolve the war.
Kupiansk Back at the Center of Hostilities: Ukrainian Forces Encircle Russian Grouping, Zelensky Visits the Front Line