Ukraine Says It Retakes Parts of Kupiansk, Encircling Russian Troops
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Kyiv / Dec 12, 2025 Ukrainian forces announced they have regained control of key areas in and around Kupiansk, a strategic town in the Kharkiv region, cutting off Russian supply routes and encircling enemy troops. Ukrainian commanders say the advance has effectively isolated Russian units inside the city, severing their logistics and making resupply increasingly difficult.
Officials reported that Ukrainian troops liberated surrounding villages and northern districts, tightening pressure on Russian forces that had claimed control of the town in recent weeks. With main ground access routes now blocked, Russian units are said to be confined largely to interior pockets of Kupiansk, relying on aerial resupply as Ukrainian forces advance.
While heavy combat continues in parts of the town, Ukrainian military sources emphasize that the encirclement represents a significant tactical success — undermining Russian defensive positions and disrupting command and supply lines in a key sector of the front.
Analysis / Impact:
The reported progress in Kupiansk marks one of the most striking shifts on the northeastern front in weeks. The town sits along key transport routes and has been fiercely contested throughout the conflict, serving as both a logistical hub and symbolic target for both sides. Breaking Russian control there — or encircling their forces — could alter the operational dynamics in eastern Ukraine.
For Ukraine, isolating Russian units may force enemy troops to withdraw, surrender, or face severe shortages. Should Kyiv’s forces solidify control of Kupiansk and nearby terrain, it could blunt Russian advances and bolster Ukrainian negotiating leverage in broader conflict talks. However, battle conditions remain fluid, and commanders have signalled that intense fighting persists in sections of the city centre.
