Russian Defense Ministry: Kupiansk Under Control as Ukrainian Units Remain Blocked

Russian forces have established control over the city of Kupiansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, according to an official statement by the Russian military on Tuesday, December 16.

Photo: vitalykuzmin.net by Vitaly V. Kuzmin, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Russian Army men

Russian Military Claims Full Control

The announcement was made by Leonid Sharov, head of the press center of Russia's Western Group of Forces, who stated that the city is now under the authority of the 6th Combined Arms Army.

"The city of Kupiansk is under the control of the 6th Combined Arms Army,” Sharov said, speaking from the forward command post of the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment.

According to Sharov, Russian units also control nearby settlements including Tishchenkovka, Moskovka, and Sobolevka. These positions are described as crucial for preventing Ukrainian forces from breaking through toward the city.

Isolated Ukrainian Units Remain Inside the City

Despite the claim of full control, Russian officials acknowledge that scattered groups of Ukrainian troops remain inside Kupiansk. These units are reportedly blocked inside two buildings in the Yubileiny residential district.

"Through coordinated actions of the assault groups of the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment, the Ukrainian units will be eliminated in the near future,” Sharov stated.

Russian forces also reported attempts by Ukrainian soldiers to enter the city through a cemetery area, allegedly suffering significant losses in personnel and equipment. In addition, Sharov claimed that a group of foreign mercenaries from Colombia was struck near Kupiansk using drones and artillery.

Reports of a Possible Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Earlier reports suggested that Ukraine may be preparing a large-scale counteroffensive aimed at retaking Kupiansk. According to these claims, up to 2,500 personnel could be involved, including former prisoners and foreign mercenaries, among them fighters reportedly from Brazil.

Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the Russian State Duma's Defense Committee, said that any large concentration of Ukrainian forces near Kupiansk could be targeted by missile strikes.

"There will be no frontal infantry assaults. The emphasis will be on heavy combat equipment,” Kolesnik said.

Political Context and Frontline Significance

The situation around Kupiansk has gained additional political significance after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the city on December 12. During his visit, he recorded a public address emphasizing that battlefield results directly influence Ukraine's diplomatic position.

Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces were achieving results in the area and that these outcomes would strengthen Ukraine's standing in international negotiations.

As of now, the Russian Defense Ministry maintains that Kupiansk is firmly under its control, while Ukrainian authorities have not officially confirmed the loss of the city. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing fighting and competing claims from both sides.