Kupyansk is almost liberated: less than 100 occupiers remain in the city.

According to ТСН: In Kupyansk, the work to clear the city of Russian troops, which began in the fall, is nearing completion. According to the Defense Forces, there are less than 100 occupiers left in the city. They are completely surrounded and face serious supply issues, particularly with air support.

This was reported by the spokesperson of the Joint Forces Group, Viktor Trehubov, in a comment to 'Suspilne Kharkiv.'

The situation in Kupyansk

Trehubov noted that the situation in Kupyansk has improved for the Ukrainian military. According to radio intercepts, about 30 callsigns of Russian troops are recorded in the city, but several people use one radio, so the actual number of the enemy might be a bit higher.

“There are still individual enemy soldiers remaining, but they are completely surrounded. They already have significant problems even getting supplies through the 'air bridge,' as we can clearly see where everything is falling. I would say this is the final phase of clearing the city,” Trehubov stated.

He also added that even Russian media are forced to acknowledge the real state of affairs in Kupyansk.

The Russian troops remaining in the city mostly hide in basements in the central and northwest parts of Kupyansk.

“Definitely less than a hundred. There were a hundred recently, but they are 'going out' several a day. I think that they will most likely just surrender en masse at some point, as it is already clear to them that there is no prospect and that they won’t be rescued from there,” emphasized the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, according to Trehubov, the Russian high command plans to capture Kupyansk by February 2026, despite the real situation on the ground.

“So they want to take the same city that they supposedly already took. Moreover, this task is set by the same person named Kuzovlev, who has already once received a hero star for this. Probably wants another one — maybe posthumously,” Trehubov ironically noted.

He also reported that Russian troops are sending reinforcements north of Kupyansk, trying to infiltrate the city again, but these attempts have not yet been successful.

“If we consider their attempts to enter or infiltrate the city from the north, then they have absolutely no success. They are trying now, but it is not working,” explained the spokesperson.

The Russians are actively engaging in combat on the left bank of the Oskil River, where they are trying to reduce or destroy the Ukrainian foothold.

“There they are actively trying to destroy our foothold, but so far without success. It is somewhat easier for them to apply efforts there than under Kupyansk,” clarified Trehubov.

In recent days, a decrease in the intensity of combat encounters has been observed, which, according to the spokesperson, may be related to the regrouping of Russian forces.

“In the last few days, they are more regrouping than engaging in active actions. It may have been influenced by the New Year holidays, but there have been fewer clashes, accordingly, and losses are somewhat lower. At the same time, we see that they are preparing and may soon reactivate,” he informed.

Moreover, recently, the Russian army has increased strikes on Kupyansk, primarily using FAB aerial bombs.

“The best way to counter FABs is to destroy the aircraft itself, preferably while still on the airfield. But now they are launching them from a distance, and our aircraft cannot operate directly over the contact line for obvious reasons,” Trehubov explained.

According to him, despite their great power, these munitions are not as effective as the Russian military hopes.

“They are quite inaccurate, although very powerful. They will certainly not destroy all buildings. This is not such a small city that it can be wiped out by shelling in a few days or even weeks,” the spokesperson emphasized.

He reminded that even significantly smaller Vovchansk was destroyed by Russian troops for almost two years, so the scale of Kupyansk does not allow for the city to be destroyed only by airstrikes.

Earlier, Trehubov reported the transfer of enemy troops to the Kupyansk direction. This is happening both from less active directions and from Russian territory.

“It is already evident that they have goals for January. To bypass the same Vovchansk, eliminate the Ukrainian foothold east of Kupyansk, reach Liman, and conduct infiltration to the same Liman,” noted the spokesperson of the Joint Forces Group.

The situation in Kupyansk remains complicated, but the defenders of Ukraine continue active actions to liberate the city from the occupiers. Despite the plans of the Russian command, Ukrainian plans for defense and the eradication of remaining enemy forces remain a priority. The development of events in the region is worth monitoring as the situation may change rapidly.