Ukrainian forces continue advancing within and near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, while heavy fighting continues near the city, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. New geolocated footage and Ukrainian reporting show gains inside the city and nearby settlements. Russian sources acknowledge some losses but dispute the scope of Ukrainian progress despite available evidence.

Ukrainian advances confirmed by geolocated footage: Yuvileynyi neighborhood seized, fighting continues

ISW reported on 13 December that Ukrainian forces advanced in central Kupiansk while conducting clearing operations. Footage published on 12 December shows Ukrainian units moving through central districts and pushing southeast of Petropavlivka, east of Kupiansk. Additional footage from 12 and 13 December indicates Russian infiltration groups remain in northern and western Kupiansk.

Ukrainian military observer Yurii Butusov reported that Ukrainian forces fully seized Yuvileynyi Microraion ("micro-district") in southwestern Kupiansk. He assessed that losing this area likely prevents Russian forces from sustaining remaining positions in southern Kupiansk. Butusov also said Ukrainian units continue clearing operations across the city.

Russian infiltration attempts persist

The chief of staff of a Ukrainian drone battalion reported that Russian forces still attempt to penetrate Kupiansk. He said Russian troops primarily move on foot during these efforts. ISW noted that these infiltration attempts continue despite Ukrainian advances and ongoing clearance.

Russian milbloggers acknowledge losses

Russian milbloggers acknowledged Ukrainian advances into Yuvileynyi Microraion and northwest of Kupiansk. They reported heavy fighting near Myrove and Radkivka, both northwest to north of the city. One milblogger admitted Russia lost Radkivka and two defensive positions south and east of the settlement. Many Russian milbloggers continued rejecting Ukrainian reports despite evidence supporting Ukrainian claims.

Kupiansk counteroffensive

Ukrainian forces launched their counteroffensive in the Kupiansk area in September 2025 following rapid Russian advances during the summer. By early August, Russian troops had infiltrated Kupiansk, and by late August, the Russian military command began publicly presenting these infiltrations as significant gains. According to Butusov, Russian assault units from the 121st and 122nd motorized rifle regiments, the 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade, and the 1855th Battalion had established entrenched positions in the city and seized a key elevation north of Kupiansk, putting Ukraine in a critical situation by mid-September.

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Ukraine says its troops encircled remaining Russians in Kupiansk and freed nearby villages (VIDEO, MAP)

Butusov reported that Ukrainian forces later liberated Tyshchenkivka, Kindrashivka, and Radkivka, enabling a breakthrough in Russian defenses. By 21 October, they reached the west bank of the Oskil River and severed Russian supply lines to Kupiansk from the north. Despite facing a Russian-created drone “kill zone,” Ukrainian units adapted and regained the initiative.

"The Kremlin has been leveraging its claims of advances in and near Kupiansk for a cognitive warfare effort designed to portray the Ukrainian lines as on the verge of collapse," ISW noted, adding that "the Ukrainian counterattacks in the Kupiansk direction continue to demonstrate that this narrative is false."

Ukrainian Defense Forces have surrounded the remaining Russian troops in Kupiansk and liberated surrounding settlements in Kharkiv Oblast, according to the Ukrainian National Guard’s 2nd Corps Khartia. The operation has reportedly cut all ground access for Russian forces, forcing them to rely solely on drones for supplies.

Ukrainian forces encircle Russian troops and liberate villages around Kupiansk

Khartia reports that the counteroffensive began after the Russian breakthrough into Kupiansk in September. To respond, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered the creation of a special strike group named Khartia. It included units from the 13th Brigade Khartia, the 475th Assault Regiment Kod 9.2, the 92nd Assault Brigade, the Foreign Legion of the Defense Intelligence, and the 144th Mechanized Brigade. These forces launched a coordinated operation to eliminate the Russian incursion and regain control of the area.

On 20 November, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov told Vladimir Putin that Kupiansk had ostensibly been captured. On 2 December, Putin stated that the Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi railway station would fall “in a few days.” 

Khartia states that its units advanced to the Oskil River and cut off all land supply routes into Kupiansk. As a result of the operation, Ukrainian forces liberated the villages of Radkivka and Kindrashivka, as well as nearby forests and several districts in northern Kupiansk. 

According to Khartia, Kupiansk is under full fire control by Ukrainian forces, and the Russian grouping is fully isolated. Militarnyi adds that Ukrainian troops also took control of key infrastructure, including gas pipeline exits previously used by Russian troops to enter the city.

The short video shows movement of Ukrainian tanks during the counteroffensive:

DeepState maps show sharp shift in control

Militarnyi noted that DeepState interactive warzone map, which for months had shown Russian forces pushing up to six kilometers into Kupiansk, now reflects significant Ukrainian gains. The maps updated on 12 December display a sharp change in the city’s status, confirming that Ukrainian forces have reversed the earlier Russian advance. The map now shows three smal isolated Russian-controlled pockets inside the town.

Street fighting continues inside Kupiansk

Although Ukrainian forces have blocked all ground access and hold surrounding territory, fighting continues in central Kupiansk. Khartia reports that several dozen residential buildings in the city’s northern districts have already been cleared of Russian presence. The operation is being conducted with caution, as up to 500 civilians reportedly remain in Kupiansk. Russian troops are attempting to use them as human shields, Khartia adds.

Ukrainian troops destroy Russian battalions, sever supply lines

According to Militarnyi, Ukrainian units crushed several Russian formations during the October–November phase of the operation. These included battalions from the 121st and 122nd Motor Rifle Regiments, the 30th Engineer-Sapper Regiment of the 68th Motor Rifle Division, and the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade. Russian units operated with support from the 7th UAV Regiment and other drone teams, but were ultimately driven back.

Militarnyi confirms that Ukrainian forces blocked all ground routes and forced Russian troops in Kupiansk to rely entirely on aerial drone drops for supplies. The intensity of Russian losses continues to grow as Ukraine holds its positions and repels daily assaults.

Militarnyi also reports that a Recon-Strike Group (RUG), known for its Spanish-speaking fighters, is involved in the battle. The group includes volunteers from Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Italy, and Mexico, serving alongside Ukrainians. A recently shared video shows them advancing toward Kupiansk’s center during clearing operations.

This video shows Khartia's RUG fighters, operating in central Kupiansk: