Ukraine's National Guard Khartia brigade seized the city council building in central Kupiansk, raising the Ukrainian flag over the city hall as clearing operations continue against remaining Russian troops, the brigade reported. An estimated 25 to 90 Russian soldiers remain trapped inside the Kharkiv Oblast city, cut off from ground logistics and attempting resupply by drone. Russian attempts to reinforce their trapped forces have consistently failed.
Khartia fighters storm Kupiansk city hall
On the evening of 12 January, the 13th National Guard Brigade Khartia reported that fighters from its Reconnaissance-Strike Group of the 4th Battalion planted the Ukrainian flag on the city council building in central Kupiansk. The brigade released footage showing the assault on the administrative building. The Search-and-Strike Group Khartia and Tactical Group Kupiansk are completing the clearing of the city after a successful operation led by the 2nd Corps command.
"The Kupiansk operation proves that through planning, trained commanders and staffs, and quality unit preparation—everything we call the Khartia method—you can successfully stop and destroy the enemy," said Colonel Ihor Obolensky, commander of the 2nd Corps of Ukraine's National Guard Khartia.
Russian troops encircled without ground supply routes
According to Ukrainian mapping project Deep State, as of 11 January part of Kupiansk remains under full Ukrainian military control while a larger portion sits in the so-called "grey zone." Three Russian-controlled locations of the city reportedly remain encircled. However, changes on this map appear with a delay. Russian infantry soldiers trapped in these areas are severed from ground logistics support. The Russians are attempting to establish supply lines using drones.
Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces Grouping, told Suspilne on 11 January that Russian attempts to bring additional forces into the city have failed. He estimated between 25 and 90 Russian soldiers remain in Kupiansk.
Russia's claims contradicted by reality on the ground
Russian leadership repeatedly claimed full control of Kupiansk. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the city entrance sign in December, directly contradicting Moscow's assertions. At that time, Zelenskyy reported Ukrainian forces were pushing occupiers out of Kupiansk, with approximately 100 Russians remaining in the city.
The Joint Forces Grouping confirmed in late December that Russian troops remained encircled in Kupiansk with no prospects for relief. In January, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces captured a Russian soldier who had been hiding in the city and directing strikes against Ukrainian defenders, releasing video of the detention. Also, a Cuban mercenary has been recently captured in the Kupiansk sector.
