Ukraine is disputing Russia’s statements about the situation in Kupyansk. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian leadership is spreading false claims to create a misleading picture of the city’s status.
In reality, Ukrainian forces are continuing to clear Kupyansk of remaining Russian units and stabilize the situation, according to Syrskyi.
He described the Kupyansk axis as one of the most intense, with fast-changing fighting that demands maximum coordination across units. Syrskyi visited Ukrainian positions in the Kharkiv region to assess the operational picture firsthand and issue guidance to commanders.
Ukrainian units conduct both defensive and search-and-strike operations daily, part of a broader effort to hold the city and prevent a Russian breakthrough. Inside Kupyansk, troops continue to identify Russian fighters attempting to hide after a failed attempt to seize the city; they are being killed or taken prisoner.
Syrskyi said Moscow’s claims of success by its forces do not match reality. He noted that even after high-profile statements by Russian propagandists, monitoring in the city showed fewer than 40 users on their radio network - an indicator, he said, of the true scale of the Russian presence.
On approaches to Kupyansk, Ukrainian forces are holding key lines, intensifying fire pressure, and blocking potential supply routes for Russia’s military. Syrskyi added that units have their orders, and commanders received additional instructions to reinforce defenses and continue clearing operations.
