Russia claims control of key Ukrainian city Kupiansk
Russia has announced that its troops have taken control of the frontline city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Leonid Sharov, head of Russia’s Zapad (West) military group, told state media that the city is now under the command of the Russian Sixth Army. Russian officials have repeatedly portrayed Kupiansk as a vital logistics and railway hub for Ukrainian operations in the northeast. Moscow argues that securing the city strengthens its defensive line and disrupts Ukrainian supply routes towards Kharkiv and other parts of the front. Ukraine has rejected earlier Russian declarations of full control over Kupiansk, insisting that its forces remain active in and around the city. Kyiv’s military authorities say Ukrainian troops are still engaging Russian units and have carried out counterattacks to retake ground in the area. Recent assessments by independent analysts suggest that the situation […]