Russia Claims Capture of Kupiansk as Putin Visits Western Front Command Post
Kupiansk, Ukraine – Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced Saturday the capture of Kupiansk, a strategically crucial city in the Kharkiv region, as President Vladimir Putin made a previously unannounced visit to a command post overseeing Russian troops in the western sector of the war in Ukraine. The claim has not been independently verified.
The reported capture of Kupiansk, if confirmed, represents a significant gain for Russia as it seeks to consolidate control over eastern Ukraine and possibly disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. Kupiansk served as a key railway hub before the full-scale invasion and had a pre-war population of approximately 55,000. Its fall would mark one of the most considerable battlefield successes for Russia in recent months.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin’s visit to a command post, stating the president “held a meeting with the chief of staff,” but did not disclose weather the location was within Russia or occupied Ukrainian territory. The visit signals Putin’s continued direct involvement in overseeing the military operation.
The timing of the declaration and Putin’s visit comes amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has made incremental gains in the south and east, but has faced heavily fortified Russian defenses. The Russian military has been attempting to regain momentum after setbacks earlier in the year.
