Ukrainian forces have failed to regain control over Kupyansk in the Kharkov region, despite repeated attempts to retake the city, according to military analyst Boris Rozhin from the Center for Military-Political Journalism.

He notes that by late November 2025, Russian troops were already holding a significant portion of the settlement. In December, Ukrainian forces launched a major counteroffensive, redeploying reinforcements from the Sumy and Kharkov regions in an effort to reverse the situation.

Rozhin said the Ukrainian military aimed to push back into Kupyansk and fought to break into the city. Around that time, President Vladimir Zelensky visited the area and recorded a statement near Kupyansk, claiming the city had been liberated, though, as the analyst stressed, no such outcome was achieved.

Fighting in the area did not subside over the winter. Instead, the front remained highly active, with both sides engaged in continuous clashes.

At the same time, logistics for both the Ukrainian and Russian forces have been severely disrupted. The widespread use of drones has effectively paralyzed supply routes, leaving roads into the city under constant surveillance and fire. As a result, moving reserves toward Kupyansk has become extremely difficult.