Ongoing Conflict in Kupiansk: Russian Advances and Ukrainian Resistance

The city of Kupiansk remains a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Despite intensified Russian assaults aimed at breaching the city’s defenses, Ukrainian troops have successfully repelled these efforts. Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Joint Forces Grouping, indicated that Russian forces have set a deadline to occupy the city by February. However, he emphasized that their ground assaults have consistently failed, with no Russian groups managing to infiltrate the city itself. Ukrainian counteroffensives in December 2025 liberated key neighborhoods, cut off Russian supply lines, and trapped approximately 200 Russian soldiers, leading to significant Russian casualties estimated at over 1,000 during their recent offensive attempts.

Moscow Times

The Ukrainian 7th Corps reported thwarting Russia's attempts to storm Kupiansk by utilizing decommissioned gas pipelines for infiltration. This tactic, aimed at bypassing Ukrainian defenses while avoiding detection, has proven costly for Russian troops. Reports from independent media have highlighted the dire conditions faced by soldiers using these underground passages, with accounts of chaos and fatalities due to suffocation and panic.

Moscow Times

In a separate development, Russia announced the capture of the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine's Sumy region. This area had previously seen little fighting since Ukraine's successful counteroffensive in 2022. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed control over the village, which Kyiv accused Moscow of forcibly relocating residents from in a recent operation described as a "medieval raid."

Moscow Times

The ongoing conflict has led to significant destruction in Kupiansk, with reports of extensive damage to residential areas due to shelling. The Ukrainian military has shared images depicting the devastation, underscoring the impact of the conflict on local communities. The 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade is currently tasked with defending the city, emphasizing their commitment to protecting their land and people amid the ongoing hostilities.

Critics of the Russian military strategy have pointed out the high human cost associated with their tactics, particularly the use of gas pipelines for troop movements. Former Ukrainian officer Viktor Kevliuk noted that while these methods aim to circumvent modern warfare challenges, they have resulted in severe psychological and physical tolls on Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian officials have consistently reiterated their determination to defend Kupiansk against Russian advances. Trehubov's statements reflect a broader sentiment within the Ukrainian military, emphasizing resilience in the face of ongoing aggression.

While Ukrainian sources report significant Russian losses and failures in their offensive, Russian claims of territorial gains, such as the capture of Hrabovske, present a contrasting narrative. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements and shifting control over various regions complicating the overall picture of the conflict.

• "Yes, by February." — Viktor Trehubov, Spokesperson for Ukraine’s Joint Forces Grouping

• "Russia is destroying, and we are defending ours — our land, our people, and our future." — Ukrainian Military Statement

• "People were going crazy there. One shot himself." — Igor Garus, Russian Soldier, on conditions in gas pipelines.