ISW: Ukrainian forces advance in central Kupiansk
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces advance in the central part of Kupiansk (GettyImages)
Ukrainian forces recently advanced in central Kupiansk in Kharkiv region, while Russia has intensified operations in Sumy region, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts estimate that Ukrainian forces advanced along highway P-79 Kupiansk–Chuhuiv in the central part of the city.
At the same time, on December 19 and 20, Russian troops continued offensive actions near Kupiansk. Specifically, the occupiers attacked directly in the city area, east of it toward Petropavlivka, southeast near Stepova Novoselivka and Pishchane, and south toward the Kupiansk junction.
Russian military bloggers claimed that Ukrainian units launched counterattacks from Sobilivka and Myrove, as well as within Kupiansk and near Stepova Novoselivka.
According to ISW, operators of drones and assault units from Russia’s 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the Moscow Military District continue participating in battles in the Kupiansk direction. Units from the 352nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps of the Leningrad Military District are also reported to be active in the Kupiansk direction.
Photo: understandingwar.org
Sumy region
On December 20, Russian forces continued offensive actions in northern Sumy region but did not achieve any confirmed territorial gains. Analysts note that there had been no recorded activity along this part of the border since fighting near Dmydivka in Belgorod region in late summer 2025.
At the same time, Russia's Ministry of Defense and Russian "war correspondents" claim the alleged capture of the settlements of Vysoke and Hrabovske, but there is no independent confirmation of this information.
According to ISW, on December 19 and 20, Russian forces carried out attacks in Kursk and Sumy regions, including near Andriivka, Kindrativka, Varachyne, and Vysoke. Russian sources also report counterattacks by Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of Oleksiivka.
Photo: understandingwar.org
Separately, linked to the Russian Northern Group of Forces, a "war correspondent" reported significant losses among Russian units near the village of Bezsalivka. According to him, the 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment suffered a strike after mistakenly being ordered to occupy positions in a forested area where Ukrainian forces were present. He also reported problems with evacuating the wounded and a lack of rotations for Russian units in the area.
The report notes that on the Sumy direction, units of the 137th Russian Airborne Regiment and the special forces detachment Anvar are active.
Situation in Kupiansk and "Kremlin myths"
On December 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Kupiansk direction, where active combat operations are ongoing. He met with Ukrainian soldiers participating in the city's liberation and thanked the units for their achievements on the front.
That same day, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled a Russian offensive near Kupiansk in Kharkiv region. Ukrainian units fully blocked approaches to the city and encircled the invaders.
At the same time, the Russian side continues spreading fake news about the alleged capture of Kupiansk. The city's "takeover" has been claimed twice by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine explained that such statements are attempts by Russian military leadership to hide failures on the front and avoid accountability for defeats, which is why Moscow repeatedly announces the fictitious occupation of the city.
