Ukrainian defenders clear Russian troops from Kupiansk city center
Illustrative photo: Clearing operations against Russians continue in the center of Kupiansk (GettyImages)
The Khartiia search and strike group controls the central part of Kupiansk and the city council building, according to National Guard of Ukraine commander Oleksandr Pivnenko.
Servicemen of the reconnaissance and strike group of the 4th battalion of the Khartia brigade continue to clear the city of the remnants of Russian occupation forces.
The commander of the National Guard noted that the units are operating in difficult combat conditions, in particular with the active use of Russian FPV drones. At the same time, Ukrainian fighters are demonstrating a quick response to direct hits and combat contact with the Russian troops.
The moment of combat action was captured on video, filmed directly on the GoPro cameras of the assault troops of the Khartia Brigade.
Пошуково-ударне угруповання «Хартія» контролює центр і будівлю міської ради Куп’янська.
— КОРПУС ХАРТІЯ (@khartiiabrygada) January 19, 2026
Водночас воїни Розвідувально-ударної групи (Р.У.Г.) 4-го батальйону бригади «Хартія» продовжують зачищати місто від залишків російських окупантів.
Відео безпосередньо з GoPro хартійців. pic.twitter.com/DBcrAvELsp
Situation in Kupiansk
Earlier, Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces Group, said that Russian troops were increasing pressure in the Kupiansk area, but all attempts to break through directly to the city had been unsuccessful.
At the same time, the Russian army has significantly intensified air strikes in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, trying to push Ukrainian units out of the left bank. As Trehubov noted, Russia was trying to influence the course of hostilities in this section of the front with such actions.
He also recalled that the Joint Forces Group had already refuted fake reports by Russian propaganda about the alleged capture of Kupiansk. According to him, the complete clearing of the city of the remnants of Russian sabotage groups may take several more weeks.
In addition, Russian troops have increased pressure on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the eastern bank of the Oskil River near Kupiansk. Despite Russia's attempts to cross the ice, the Ukrainian military continues to maintain control of the situation.
A week earlier, Ukrainian defenders established control over the Kupiansk City Council building. The operation was carried out as part of the unblocking of the city under the leadership of the command of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine.
At the same time, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, Russian authorities are trying to impose an alternative narrative of events on the front lines by systematically spreading false claims about the alleged capture of Kupiansk.
