Ukraine Retakes Kupiansk As Remaining Russians Trapped, Relentlessly Cleared

Ukrainian forces - led by a National Guard brigade, not special operators or elite assault units - have retaken Kupiansk, planting their flag on the Kharkiv oblast city's central council building. 

Despite several months of claims by Putin and other Kremlin leaders, Kupiansk was never fully occupied by the Russians. Those scattered Russian infiltrators who remain - fewer than 100 men - are trapped in small groups in a variety of basements and are being systematically cleared out as they have no hope of rescue or resupply. JL

Yuri Zoria reports in Euromadian Press:

Ukraine's Khartia National Guard brigade seized the city council building in central Kupiansk, raising the Ukrainian flag as clearing operations continue against remaining Russian troops. An estimated 25 to 90 Russian soldiers remain trapped inside the Kharkiv Oblast city, cut off and attempting resupply by drone. Russian attempts to reinforce their trapped forces have consistently failed. Russian leadership has repeatedly claimed full control of Kupiansk even as Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the city in December, directly contradicting Moscow's assertions. At that time, Ukrainian forces were already pushing the Russians out of Kupiansk.

Ukraine's National Guard Khartia brigade seized the city council building in central Kupiansk, raising the Ukrainian flag over the city hall as clearing operations continue against remaining Russian troops, the brigade reported. An estimated 25 to 90 Russian soldiers remain trapped inside the Kharkiv Oblast city, cut off from ground logistics and attempting resupply by drone. Russian attempts to reinforce their trapped forces have consistently failed.

Kupiansk, a major transport hub in Kharkiv Oblast, has been a constant target of Russian offensives ever since Ukraine liberated it in 2022. Toward the end of last year, Russian forces managed to infiltrate sections of the city and establish footholds. Ukrainian troops responded swiftly, surrounding the intruders and severing their logistics. After clearing out most of the trapped Russian groups, Ukrainian soldiers are now tracking down the last holdouts still concealed within the city.

Khartia fighters storm Kupiansk city hall

On the evening of 12 January, the 13th National Guard Brigade Khartia reported that fighters from its Reconnaissance-Strike Group of the 4th Battalion planted the Ukrainian flag on the city council building in central Kupiansk. The brigade released footage showing the assault on the administrative building. The Search-and-Strike Group Khartia and Tactical Group Kupiansk are completing the clearing of the city after a successful operation led by the 2nd Corps command.

"The Kupiansk operation proves that through planning, trained commanders and staffs, and quality unit preparation—everything we call the Khartia method—you can successfully stop and destroy the enemy," said Colonel Ihor Obolensky, commander of the 2nd Corps of Ukraine's National Guard Khartia.

Russian troops encircled without ground supply routes

According to Ukrainian mapping project Deep State, as of 11 January part of Kupiansk remains under full Ukrainian military control while a larger portion sits in the so-called "grey zone." Three Russian-controlled locations of the city reportedly remain encircled. However, changes on this map appear with a delay. Russian infantry soldiers trapped in these areas are severed from ground logistics support. The Russians are attempting to establish supply lines using drones.

Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces Grouping, told Suspilne on 11 January that Russian attempts to bring additional forces into the city have failed. He estimated between 25 and 90 Russian soldiers remain in Kupiansk.

Russia's claims contradicted by reality on the ground

Russian leadership repeatedly claimed full control of Kupiansk. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the city entrance sign in December, directly contradicting Moscow's assertions. At that time, Zelenskyy reported Ukrainian forces were pushing occupiers out of Kupiansk, with approximately 100 Russians remaining in the city.

The Joint Forces Grouping confirmed in late December that Russian troops remained encircled in Kupiansk with no prospects for relief. In January, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces captured a Russian soldier who had been hiding in the city and directing strikes against Ukrainian defenders, releasing video of the detention. Also, a Cuban mercenary has been recently captured in the Kupiansk sector.