Russia claims to have “captured” Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, though its forces have not even reached the town
Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, announced the “capture” of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi in the Kharkiv region. However, according to OSINT analysts, Russian forces have not even approached the settlement.
Gerasimov made the claim during an inspection of the “West” group, asserting that a “clearing of neighbourhoods” was allegedly underway in the town.
Meanwhile, maps from DeepState, Blackbird, and ISW show that Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi remains entirely under Ukrainian control, with the nearest Russian positions at least 10 km away.
Even pro-Russian Telegram channels have questioned Gerasimov’s statements, calling it another instance of “embellished reporting.”
Previously, Gerasimov had already informed Putin about the “capture” of Kupiansk, but that information was also unverified — Russian forces failed to fully take control of the city.
For context, Ukrainian forces have expelled Russian operational reserves from Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. Additionally, on the Kupiansk axis, Ukrainian troops destroyed an enemy artillery piece using FPV drones.
