On November 20, 2025, Ukraine's General Staff officially refuted claims made by Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov regarding the supposed capture of Kupiansk by Russian forces. This announcement followed Gerasimov's report to Russian President Vladimir Putin during Putin's visit to a command post of the Zapad force. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed that Kupiansk, located in Kharkiv Oblast, remains under the control of its Defense Forces and that counter-sabotage operations against infiltrating enemy units are actively being conducted around the city. Fighting in Kupiansk has intensified, particularly since Russia has been attempting to advance marginally in this strategic region. Russian forces originally seized control of Kupiansk at the start of the full-scale invasion but were driven out by Ukrainian troops in September 2022. Since then, the city has been a focal point for ongoing combat operations, leading to its closure to civilians since September 28 due to the risks posed by Russian sabotage groups. The Ukrainian military highlighted that Russian attempts to infiltrate their positions have included tactics such as attempting to disguise themselves as civilians or using existing infrastructure like gas pipelines. Such strategies are considered war crimes according to international law, reflecting the dire and convoluted nature of the conflict. In a statement, Ukraine's General Staff accused the Russian military leadership of fabricating 'cheap informational provocations' aimed at obscuring the critical losses they have suffered during the ongoing conflict. This assertion comes amidst reports of relentless Russian attacks utilizing guided bombs, artillery, and advanced munitions systems on Ukrainian positions within the city. The persistent efforts to regain Kupiansk reflect Russia's ongoing strategic objectives in the Kharkiv Oblast.