Russia claims capture of Kupiansk; Ukraine disputes reports

Friday 21 November 2025 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia claims capture of Kupiansk; Ukraine disputes reports

Russia announced on Thursday that its forces had taken control of the strategic Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, a claim swiftly rejected by Ukraine’s military. The contradictory statements highlight the ongoing battle for territorial control amid the intensifying conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff, informed President Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the command post of the Russian forces’ “West” grouping that the city of Kupiansk had been “liberated.” According to the Kremlin, Putin was also briefed on the situation in Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, as well as around Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region.

“Units of the ‘West’ grouping have liberated the city of Kupiansk and are continuing to destroy Ukrainian armed forces units surrounded on the left bank of the Oskol River,” Gerasimov told Putin. He also reported that Russian forces had seized 70 percent of Pokrovsk and 80 percent of Vovchansk, both located in heavily contested areas.

Kyiv responds with firm denial

Ukraine’s military quickly dismissed the claims. In a late evening statement, the General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces declared that Kupiansk remains under the control of Ukrainian defense forces.

“Also untrue are statements suggesting that 80 percent of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region has been captured and 70 percent of the city of Pokrovsk,” the Ukrainian general staff stated.

Kupiansk, located in the Kharkiv region, is considered strategically significant due to its proximity to supply routes and its role in regional logistics. Both sides have fought fiercely for control of this area, which has seen heavy fighting since the start of the war.

The conflicting reports come as the broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with both nations vying for control of key territories in the east.