Ukraine's defense forces have established firm control over Kupiansk, with only a few dozen Russian occupiers remaining trapped in a single city block, according to Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine's Joint Forces grouping, speaking on Ukrainian TV telethon. The surrounded Russians survive on air-dropped supplies and are unable to carry out any active operations, while enemy attempts to attack the city from outside continue to fail.
In late 2025, Russian generals falsely claimed its capture. In December, Zelenskyy visited the city, debunking the claim. In early January, Ukrainian forces raised the flag over Kupiansk's city hall after clearing the city of a Russian breakthrough. Moscow's commanders had reportedly been ordered to seize Kupiansk by February 2026 — a deadline that has now passed with their last troops cornered and unable to fight. As of 5 February, Russian troops in the city were reported fully localized in one quarter.
Few dozen occupiers pinned in hospital quarter
Ukrainian forces detected 22 Russian radio callsigns in Kupiansk on 15 February. Trehubov said the actual number of occupiers is somewhat higher but remains in the range of "a few dozen." All of them are concentrated in one specific quarter of tall buildings north of the city center, in the hospital area.
"Yesterday, 22 enemy callsigns were detected directly in the city, meaning 22 radios. There are actually somewhat more of them, but we lean toward the assessment that there aren't that many more than that. So it's a few dozen," Trehubov said.
The remaining Russians have dug in across several high-rises and are attempting to hold a defensive perimeter. They lack the capacity for any offensive action. Their only lifeline is air-dropped food and ammunition.
"They cannot conduct active operations, but are trying to survive thanks to what is being delivered to them by air," Trehubov added.
Attacks on outskirts keep failing
Russian forces continue to attack Ukrainian positions on the eastern outskirts of Kupiansk and around Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi. These assaults have brought no results. The enemy has also made unsuccessful attempts to infiltrate the city from the north.
"In the case of Kupiansk, we can already speak of [Ukraine's] confident control over the city and the failure of Russian attempts to somehow counter Ukrainian forces," Trehubov said.
Over 1,000 residents remain in the Kupiansk community, but authorities have no communication with them, according to the city military administration.
