Ukrainian flag raised over Kupiansk as troops secure city center
Illustrative photo: Military personnel have secured their positions in the center of Kupiansk (GettyImages)
Ukrainian troops have taken control of the Kupiansk city council building. The operation was carried out as part of efforts to unblock the city under the leadership of the command of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, according to the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) Khartia.
Fighters from the reconnaissance and strike group of the 4th battalion of the Khartia Brigade raised Ukraine’s national flag over the city hall building in the central part of Kupiansk. Ukrainian units are currently completing clearance operations to eliminate remaining enemy forces in the city.
"The Kupiansk operation proves that through planning, the training of commanders and staffs, and the high-quality preparation of units—everything we call the Khartia method—it is possible to successfully stop and destroy the enemy," said Colonel Ihor Obolienskyi, commander of the 2nd NGU Corps Khartia.
Fighting for Kupiansk
Earlier, Viktor Trehubov, Head of Communications for the Joint Forces Group, said that Russian troops are increasing pressure in the Kupiansk direction, but all attempts to break directly into the city have failed. According to him, the Defense Forces fully control the situation and effectively disrupt enemy infiltration attempts.
At the same time, the Russian army has significantly intensified air strikes in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, seeking to push Ukrainian units off the left bank. Trehubov noted that the enemy is attempting to change the course of fighting in this sector of the front.
He also recalled that the Joint Forces Group had previously debunked false claims by Russian propaganda about the capture of Kupiansk. According to him, the complete clearance of the city from remaining enemy groups may take several more weeks.
In addition, Russian forces have increased pressure on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions on the eastern bank of the Oskil River near Kupiansk. Despite attempts to cross the ice, Ukrainian defenders continue to maintain control of the situation.
