Ukraine war: Zelensky visits Kupiansk frontline, rejects Russia’s takeover claims

Zelensky visit undercuts Russian claims (X/@Ukraine)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Kupiansk, the strategically important city that Russia claimed last month to have captured. Zelensky travelled to the frontline area, where he recorded a video and shared a selfie, countering Moscow’s assertions about control of the city.

Kupiansk, located in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast near the Russian border, has been a key flashpoint in recent fighting. While the Kremlin has insisted that Russian forces retook the city, Ukraine has repeatedly rejected the claim, saying its troops continue to hold critical positions.

In a video posted on social media platform X, Zelensky said: "I wish you good health. Today I'm in the Kupiansk sector with our warriors who are getting the job done for Ukraine here. The Russians kept going on about Kupiansk - the reality speaks for itself."

The Ukrainian leader praised soldiers operating in the area and thanked units fighting Russian forces. He said: "I visited our troops and congratulated them. I thank each of the units, everyone who is fighting here, everyone who is destroying the occupier. Today, achieving results on the frontline is crucial so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy."

Zelensky, who was seen wearing a bulletproof vest during the visit, said holding key territory strengthened Ukraine’s position internationally. He added: "This is exactly how it works: all our strong positions within the country translate into strong positions in the negotiations to end the war."

He also used the visit to honour Ukrainian troops, saying: "Thank you to each and every warrior! I'm proud of you! And I thank all of our Land Forces — today is exclusively your day. Thank you, guys. Glory to Ukraine!"

November 20Russian top general to Putin: “Kupiansk has been taken under control”December 2Putin: “We invite foreign media to Kupiansk”December 12Zelenskyy: “Hello from Kupiansk” pic.twitter.com/WNlgIb2BSb

— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) December 12, 2025

An explosion could be heard in the distance while Zelensky was recording the video, highlighting the proximity of active fighting.

Earlier, on November 20, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said Russian forces had fully captured Kupyansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed: "Russia managed to block about 15 Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions in the Kupiansk area, inviting journalists to come and see the surrounded Ukrainian army units."

Ukrainian officials have rejected those claims. Ihor Obolenskyi, commander of the 2nd Khartia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, told Ukrainska Pravda: "Today we can say that the Russians in the city have been completely cut off and no more than 200 Russian soldiers remain in the city."

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Zelensky visit undercuts Russian claims

Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kupiansk, Russia, Kharkiv Oblast, Zelensky's frontline visit, Vladimir Putin