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Kupiansk offensive
2025 campaign in Russo-Ukrainian War From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Kupiansk offensive refers to a series of military engagements taking place around the city of Kupiansk, as well as along the Oskil river between Kupiansk through Dvorichna to the border settlement of Topoli in Kharkiv Oblast, with the goal of capturing Kupiansk and territory along the Oskil river. Offensive operations restarted in the direction after Russian forces attacked Kupiansk in late November 2024, and intensified after Russian forces established several bridgeheads across the western bank of the Oskil river in early 2025.[3]
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Background
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Perspective
In September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a major counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast, forcing Russian forces to withdraw from a majority of Kharkiv Oblast and onto the eastern bank of the Oskil river. During the counteroffensive, Kupiansk city was liberated.[4]
In late 2024, amidst Russian offensive efforts in Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces began attacking and advancing in eastern Kharkiv Oblast, particularly in the direction of Kupiansk, the administrative centre of Kupiansk Raion. On November 13, Russian forces directly attacked Kupiansk city from the north, using two armoured columns.[5] However, by late November, Russian forces had mostly withdrawn from Kupiansk city after successful Ukrainian counterattacks.[citation needed] Russian military bloggers reported in late December that Russian forces had withdrawn from the northeastern outskirts of Kupiansk to fortified positions near Petropavlivka some time ago, as Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles disrupted Russian ground supply lines.[6]
At the end of January 2025, the Institute for the Study of War assessed that Russian forces are attempting to use their bridgeheads across the Oskil river to support their advances and encircle Kupiansk from the northwest, as well as set the ground for future advances and offensives into Kharkiv Oblast.[7]
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Offensive
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Perspective
First bridgeheads established and capture of Dvorichna (November 2024 — January 2025)
On 26 November, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had used boats to cross the Oskil River and had entered the town of Dvorichna.[8] The next day, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces were also attempting to cross the Oskil near the village of Novomlynsk,[9] and that fighting was ongoing on the outskirts of Dvorichna.[10] The following day, Ukrainian officials acknowledged that a small group of Russian forces had crossed to the west bank of the Oskil.[11][12][13] According to Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets, Russian forces had crossed the river near a suspension bridge south of Novomlynsk, and the Russian contigent on the west bank of the Oskil was no larger than a company-sized force.[14]
By 1 December, Russian forces had also crossed the Oskil River south of Dvorichna, establishing a second company-sized bridgehead in the area of Masiutivka and Zapadne, according to Mashovets and Russian sources.[15] Russian sources claimed that Russian forces advanced into a forested area west of the village of Masiutivka.[16]
On 3 December, it was reported that the 8th Battalion of Ukraine's 10th Mountain Assault Brigade and the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Tank Brigade had cleared Russian forces from Novomlynsk and the surrounding area.[17][18] Geolocated footage indicated that Ukrainian forces were in control of the village.[19] The Ukrainian military claimed that the Russians were forced into a chaotic retreat across the river.[17] Mashovets said the next day that the Russian bridgehead at Novomlynsk had been eliminated and that the bridgehead at Masiutivka-Zapadne had been "significantly reduced" by Ukrainian forces.[20]
However, in mid-December, Mashovets said that the latter Russian bridgehead had "significantly expanded"[21] and that Ukrainian forces had seemingly retreated to the Dvorichna-Kupiansk highway.[22] By late December, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had advanced to the highway[23] and in early January, Mashovets said that Russian forces were using the highway to advance towards Zapadne.[24] The Russian military claimed to have taken control of Zapadne on 22 January.[25][26] Footage of Russian forces in the center of the village was published on 4 February. Mashovets acknowledged the next day that Russian forces had seized the village.[27][28]
Russian forces advanced in the southern and southeastern parts of the town of Dvorichna in mid-December.[29][30] By mid-January, Mashovets claimed that half of the town was held by Russia's 69th Motor Rifle Division.[31] The Russian military claimed to have taken control of Dvorichna on 28 January, crediting the 25th Motor Rifle Brigade with its capture,[32] but a local Ukrainian official disputed the claim.[33][34][35]
In early January, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had reached the village of Kalynove from the northeast,[36] and the Russian military claimed to have seized Kalynove on 12 January.[37][38]
Continued advances
North of Dvorichna
In mid-January, Russian forces crossed the Russia-Ukraine border and advanced near the border village of Topoli.[39][40] In early February, Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that Russian forces had established a bridgehead over the Oskil near Topoli, taking up positions on Mount Milova, south of the village.[41][42][43] In mid-February, Russian forces advanced near the village, entering its center.[44][45] On 24 February, the Russian military claimed to have taken Topoli.[46]
Russian forces retook Novomlynsk by 31 January[47] and took Fyholivka by 6 February.[48][49] In early March, the Ukrainian military claimed that Russian forces were attempting to create a new bridgehead over the Oskil River near Krasne Pershe.[50][51] Russian forces were also reported to have been advancing toward Krasne Pershe from their bridgehead at Novomlynsk and Fyholivka;[52][53] Mashovets reported that elements of the 69th Motor Rifle Division had advanced in an area between Fyholivka and the Oskil River.[54] On 20 March, Mashovets claimed that Russian forces had established another bridgehead along the Kamianka-Kolodiazne road.[55] On 28 March, the Russian military claimed to have taken Krasne Pershe.[56][57]
By early April, Russian forces had advanced across the Oskil River into the southeastern part of the village of Kamianka,[58] and continued to advance in and around the village throughout the month.[59][60][61][62] On 28 April, the Russian military claimed that the 69th Motor Rifle Division's 344th Motor Rifle Regiment had taken full control of Kamianka,[63] although a Ukrainian military spokesman claimed that there were still Ukrainian positions in the village.[64]
South of Dvorichna
In February, a Russian source said that Russian forces were planning to conduct an offensive south of Zapadne.[65] Mashovets claimed that elements of the 69th Motor Rifle Division were advancing southwards towards Kindrashivka along the Oskil River.[66][67] By early March, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had advanced and reached Kindrashivka, reportedly as part of an effort to interdict the Velykyi Burluk-Kupiansk road and enable future attacks on Kupiansk from the northwest.[68][69] In early April, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had entered Kindrashivka and established positions in the northern part of the village.[70][71][72] In late May, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had advanced into the eastern part of the village.[73] On 30 May, the Russian military claimed that Kindrashivka had been captured by the 121st Motor Rifle Regiment of the 68th Motor Rifle Division.[74]
In late March, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces reached and entered Mala Shapkivka.[75][76][77] By mid-April, geolocated footage indicated that Russian forces had reached the eastern outskirts of the village.[78]
In mid-April, Russian forces, reportedly of the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade, advanced in the vicinity of the Dvorichna-Kupiansk highway near Zapadne.[79][80] By late April, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had reached the village of Doroshivka.[81] On 29 April, the Russian military claimed that its forces had taken control over Doroshivka.[82][83]
Continued advances west of the Oskil river (May — August)
On 23 May, the Russian military claimed that its forces had taken the village of Radkivka,[84] However, in June and July, Russian sources described the village as contested.[85][86] By 23 July, the Institute for the Study of War assessed that Radkivka was under Russian control.[87]
By 27 May, Russian forces crossed the international border, entering the village of Stroiivka.[88] Two days later, Russian forces took control over Stroiivka.[89]
The Russian military claimed on 18 June that its forces took control of Dovhenke.[90] Two days later, it also claimed that its 27th Motor Rifle Brigade had seized Myrove.[91]
On 6 July, the Russian military claimed that its forces had seized control over Sobolivka, west of Kupiansk,[92] though this was disputed by other Russian sources.[93][94][95] The Institute for the Study of War assessed that the village had come under Russian control by 6 August.[96]
Russian forces seized Holubivka by 24 July.[97] A Russian source claimed that elements of the 68th Motor Rifle Division's 121st Motor Rifle Regiment was responsible for capturing the village.[98] The same day, Russian forces advanced into northern Kupiansk.[99][100] By early August, Russian forces had advanced northwest and north of Kupiansk as part of an effort to envelop and seize the city,[101] and had secured positions in the western outskirts of the city.[102]
On August 5, according to Russian military expert Andrey Marochko, who spoke with TASS, a large Russian state-owned news agency, Russian forces had begun fighting street battles in Kupiansk. [103]
By 8 August, Ukrainian forces had retaken Kindrashivka,[104] but on 14 August, Russian sources claimed that the elements of the 25th and 27th Motor Rifle Brigades recaptured Kindrashivka.[105][106]
Russian forces enter Kupiansk (August – November)
By 24 August 2025, Russian forces had advanced into the northern part of Kupiansk.[107]
On 30 August, the Institute for the Study of War assessed that Ukrainian forces had retaken Myrove and Sobolivka.[108] Russian forces retook Myrove by 2 September,[109] though Ukrainian forces recaptured Myrove again by 24 October.[110]
By 6 September, Russian forces had advanced into the northwestern part of Kupiansk and established forward positions.[111]
In late August, a Ukrainian military commander claimed that Russian forces were attempting to infiltrate into Kupiansk through sewer lines.[112] In early-mid September, Russian forces attempted to infiltrate northern Kupiansk through an underground gas pipeline[113] between the villages of Lyman Pershyi and Radkivka,[114] according to statements by Ukrainian military officials.[115][116] Ukrainian forces reportedly later damaged the pipeline to prevent further infiltration attempts.[117][118][119]
By 14 September, Russian forces had advanced in central Kupiansk,[120] reaching Sadova Street two days later.[121] Mashovets said that Russian infiltration and assault groups had been detected near the Spartak Stadium and Dovhalivska Street.[122] On 20 September, Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had seized the Kupiansk-Pivdennyi railway station[123] and advanced into the Yuvileinyi district in southwestern Kupiansk, interdicting the Kupiansk-Kharkiv highway.[124]
In the beginning of October, Russian sources claimed that about one-third of the city was under Russian control.[125]
On September 18, the BBC reported that a new push into Kupiansk is led by former Ukrainian officer Serhii Storozhenko who is currently leading the 6th Combined Arms Army, the next day, Russian forces attempted to infiltrate the city using underground pipes.[126]
On 28 September, the head of the Kupiansk City Military Administration, Andrii Besedin, announced the city's closure to civilians.[127]
By 16 October, according to the British Ministry of Defense, Russian forces had seized most of the high-rise buildings in northern Kupiansk.[128] Russian advances in central Kupiansk continued in late October.[129][130] By late October and early November, Russian forces had infiltrated southern Kupiansk, occupying buildings and positions in the area.[131][132][133][134]
Russian declaration of "full liberation" and Ukrainian counterattack (November-December)
On 20 November 2025, Russian general Valery Gerasimov publicly announced that Kupiansk had been fully captured by Russian forces[135][136] of Army Group Zapad. General Sergey Kuzovlev reiterated the news in the presence of Putin, wearing a quasi-military uniform, who clarified "so that's it, completed it all?" to Kuzovlev's confirmation. For the "liberation of Kupyansk" Kuzovlev was awarded Hero of Russia. On 21 November Putin himself declared "the events in Kupyansk will unavoidably repeat on other key front line locations; maybe not as fast as we wished, but this is unavoidable - and in general, it works for us". On 27 November while speaking to journalists, Putin once again referred to Kupiansk, saying that "as we know the enemy formations are fully liquidated there".[137]
On the following weeks however Ukrainian forces conducted series of counterattacks, which resulted in elimination of the Russian assault forces from the town centre. The operation culminated with president Zelensky visiting the center of the town on 12 December in person and recording a video at the distinctive monument with town's name.[138] Key part of the counterattack was cutting Russian supply lines through the Oskil river, which were partly based on underground pipeline passing at the river bottom. According to ISW Ukrainian forces have taken back northwestern Kupyansk, and liberated Myrove, Kindrashivka, and Radkivka.[139]
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Analysis
The Kupiansk offensive is part of a renewed effort to advance into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and retake positions up to, and across, the Oskil river in order to cut off Ukrainian logistics on the eastern bank.[140] The Institute for the Study of War has assessed that recapturing territory up to the Oskil river would allow Russian forces to encircle northern Donetsk Oblast and directly attack Ukrainian logistics centres there, such as Lyman, as part of Russia’s broader main effort in eastern Ukraine.[141]
See also
References
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