ISW: Russian Propagandists Panicked
- 16.12.2025, 10:10
Ukrainian troops continue counterattacks in the Kupyansk direction.
Ukrainian troops continue their counter-offensive in the Kupyansk direction, destroying the enemy's manpower and regaining territory under their control. In turn, Russian propagandists recognize the seriousness of the situation for Putin's army on this section of the front.
As of December 15, Ukrainian troops continued mopping up Kupyansk, where several hundred Russian occupiers remain. This is stated in the analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Situation in Kupyansk
Ukrainian defenders liberated several settlements and nearby forest areas near Kupyansk. The AFU also noted that Russian forces continue to attempt to infiltrate to reinforce positions in Kupyansk through the gas pipeline, but Ukrainian forces have blocked the pipeline and control it at all possible exit points.
Geolocation videos published on December 14 and 15 indicate that Russian forces are probably not holding positions in Petropavlovka (east of Kupyansk), contrary to Russia's claims of advancing in the area. In the district center itself, the invaders are attempting to support the remnants of their troops with UAVs. However, the logistical situation of Russian troops in Kupyansk is complicated by the fact that UAVs have limited payload capacity, cannot fly over certain areas, and sometimes drop supplies in such a way that Russian positions become vulnerable to Ukrainian troops.
Propagandists Panic
In Russia, propagandists have continued to acknowledge that the situation of Putin's army in Kupyansk is deteriorating. One Kremlin mouthpiece claimed that Russian troops hold some positions in the northern and central parts of Kupyansk, but the rest of the town is either a disputed "gray zone" or under Ukrainian control.
Another propagandist claimed that the position of Russian forces in western Kupyansk is rapidly deteriorating and acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have advanced in Kupyansk and neighboring communities.
The propagandists acknowledge that Russian forces no longer have superiority in manpower in the area and that Ukrainian interdiction efforts are hampering Russian operations. It is also reported that Ukrainian successes in Kupyansk have forced Russian drone operators to retreat from the area to the left bank of the Oskol River.