Russia admits Ukrainian breakthroughs in Kupiansk — ISW
Illustrative photo: Russia acknowledges the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kupiansk direction (facebook com easternforce)
Russian military bloggers affiliated with the Kremlin acknowledge the significant successes of Ukrainian troops in the Kupiansk direction and criticize the Russian command for providing false reports on the state of the battle, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts drew attention to statements by Russian military bloggers linked to the Kremlin who write about the war in Ukraine.
Loss of Russian positions
On December 24, one of the bloggers retroactively stated that Russian troops had lost a significant part of their foothold on the western bank of the Oskil River. Ukrainian troops regained positions directly north and northwest of Kupiansk in Kindrashivka and Radkivka, as well as in the vicinity of Myrove.
"The milblogger noted that the three settlements were the only settlements that Russian forces controlled prior to the launch of Ukrainian counterattacks in recent weeks, despite Russian military officials claiming control over 11 settlements in the area," analysts write.
Updated battles map
The military blogger revealed an updated map that refuted previous Russian claims and showed that Ukrainian troops had retained or regained positions:
- North of Kupiansk in Dovhenke, southeast of Zapadny, and northeast of Kindrashivka
- Northeast of Kupiansk in the Holubivka area
- East of Kupiansk in Petropavlivka and Kucherivka
- Southeast of Kupiansk in Pishchane and Kurylivka
- South of Kupiansk in the Kolisnykivka area
The military blogger criticized the Russian military command for exaggerating its achievements in Kupiansk and for prematurely redeploying reserves to other sections of the front, which made the city vulnerable to Ukrainian incursions.
He also notes that the Russian command used similar attempts to exaggerate results in the Sever direction in 2024.
Other military bloggers' statements
Another Russian military blogger, citing sources in the 112th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 16th Special Forces Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, claimed that Russian troops had lost Kupiansk, and that Ukrainian troops had cut off units of the 27th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade from ground communication lines.
A well-known military blogger involved in Russian crowdfunding activities reported that Russian positions continue to deteriorate due to the successes of Ukrainian troops in Myrove, Radkivka, and Sobolivka.
"Russian milbloggers, therefore, have acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have liberated or maintained positions in 182.64 square kilometers in the Kupyansk direction since December 11," ISW analysts emphasize.
Fighting in Kupiansk
On December 12, it became known that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had cleared the northwestern outskirts of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region.
Thanks to the success of the Ukrainian troops, Russian units in the city were cut off from ground logistics, which allowed for further clearing of the territory under more favorable conditions.
Today, it became known that the mopping up of Kupiansk continues. Russian troops remain cut off from supplies.
According to a representative of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, there are about 50 Russian soldiers in the city, some of whom are surrendering, including cases of foreign mercenaries surrendering.
