Russian Armed Forces have repelled what is described as the largest Ukrainian counteroffensive of 2025, according to reports from the Telegram channel Mash. The outlet says Ukrainian troops made three attempts to regain control of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region, all of which failed.

Despite substantial reinforcements, including units from the Azov* formation and foreign fighters from Colombia and Brazil, Ukrainian forces were unable to break through Russian defenses. The attacks were reportedly concentrated around the areas of Blagodatovka and Grushevka, where Russian positions withstood repeated and heavy assaults.

The heaviest losses were suffered during an attempt to advance on Kupyansk from the south. Mash reports that soldiers from Russia’s 47th Motorized Rifle Division eliminated nearly all of the attacking units during that push.

According to the same source, the Ukrainian assault group numbered up to 6,000 personnel and was aiming to capture Kupyansk before the New Year. The attackers relied on a tactic known as «frog jumps», which has been used previously but failed to change the outcome this time. As a result, the situation in and around Kupyansk is described as stabilized.

The «frog jump» tactic involves a series of rapid, multi-directional attacks carried out by small, mobile units. These groups, typically consisting of up to ten fighters each, are deployed in waves of 20 to 30 sorties in an effort to overwhelm defenses and reduce losses from Russian drones, artillery, and aerial bombs.

* Azov is designated as a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.