Putin Declares Victory in Kupiansk While Ukraine Actively Drives Russian Troops Back

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukrainian forces have significantly improved their tactical position in the northeastern city of Kupiansk and are continuing to clear the remaining Russian units from the area, according to Deutsche Welle on December 2. 

Syrskyi, who visited units of the search-and-strike grouping and the Kupiansk tactical group in the Kharkiv region, said commanders reported an “encouraging” operational situation in and around the city following recent operations.

He said Ukrainian troops had strengthened their positions inside Kupiansk, disrupted Russian infiltration routes and were pushing Russian forces away from the urban area.

“Our units have managed to significantly improve their tactical position directly in the city. The routes used by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate Kupiansk have been blocked,” Syrskyi said in comments published on his Telegram channel.

Syrskyi said Defense Forces are continuing systematic “clearing” operations inside Kupiansk while working to push Russian units off a remaining bridgehead north of the city and from other areas where Russian troops still maintain a presence.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

The Strategies and Challenges That Could Decide Ukraine’s Fight in 2026

Nov 19, 2025 18:24

Local and national media, citing military officials, reported that the majority of Kupiansk remains under Ukrainian control despite continued Russian assaults and that Ukrainian forces are seeking to stabilize the front line around the city. 

The latest comments follow earlier statements in which Syrskyi accused the Russian leadership of spreading false claims about the situation in Kupiansk, including assertions from the Russian leader that Moscow’s forces had fully captured the city.

At the end of November, Syrskyi said the “scale of lies” from Moscow was “striking” and argued that the real picture was that Ukrainian troops were holding designated lines outside Kupiansk.

Russian officials and state media have recently claimed a decisive victory in Kupiansk, with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin stating that the northeastern city is “fully in our hands” and presenting it as having been captured in full.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian forces have “cleared almost all Russian troops out of Kupiansk”, despite Russian claims to full control of the city.

On the Frontline of Truth

Our reporters risk their lives to show what’s really happening in Ukraine. Your support keeps them safe, equipped, and reporting.

SUPPORT FRONTLINE REPORTS