Kupiansk

{{short description|City in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Kupiansk | native_name = Куп'янськ | other_name = Kupyansk | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 266 | image_style = border:1 | perrow = 2/2 | caption_align = center | image1 = Kupiansk St Nicholas Church.jpg | image2 = Kupiansk City House of Culture.jpg | image3 = Kupiansk Pershoho Travnia St Square.jpg | image4 = Administration Building of Kupiansk Raion and Kupiansk City Council (10 2018) 01.jpg{{!}} | caption1 = Saint Nicholas church | caption2 = City House of Culture | caption3 = Park | caption4 = Administrative building}} | image_flag = Kupjan h.png | image_shield = Kupyansk-herb.png | shield_size = 90px | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Ukraine | subdivision_type1 = Oblast | subdivision_name1 = Kharkiv Oblast | subdivision_type2 = Raion | subdivision_name2 = Kupiansk Raion | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1655 | leader_title = head of City Military Administration | leader_name = Andrii Besedin<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast closed to civilians and left with no power, water or gas |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/09/28/8000277/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 33.34 | population_total = 560<ref name=pop1/><ref name=pop2/> | population_as_of = November 2025 | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 63700-63709 | website = {{URL|http://kupyansk.osp-ua.info/}}{{dead link|date=September 2022}} | timezone = EET | utc_offset = +2 | timezone_DST = EEST | utc_offset_DST = +3 | coordinates = {{coord|49|43|N|37|35|E|source:ukwiki_region:UA_scale:100000|display=title}} | pushpin_map = Ukraine#Ukraine Kharkiv Oblast | pushpin_relief = y | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | native_name_lang = uk | subdivision_type3 = Hromada | subdivision_name3 = {{ill|Kupiansk urban hromada|uk|Куп'янська міська громада}} }}

'''Kupiansk''' or '''Kupyansk''' ({{langx|uk|Куп'янськ}}, {{IPA|uk|ˈkupjɐnʲsʲk|IPA|audio=LL-Q8798 (ukr)-Gzhegozh-Куп'янськ.wav}}; {{langx|ru|Купянск}}, {{IPA|ru|ˈkupʲɪnsk|IPA}}) is a city in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Kupiansk Raion. It is also an important railroad junction for the oblast. Kupiansk hosts the administration of Kupiansk urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.<ref name="admreform_2020_kupiansk">{{cite web |title=Купянская городская громада |trans-title=Kupyansk city community |url=https://gromada.info/ru/obschina/kupyansk/ |publisher=Portal of united communities of Ukraine |language=ru}}</ref> It had a population of {{Ua-pop-est2022|26,627|.}} In February 2024, more than 3,500 people remained in the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Мер Куп'янська розповів про ситуацію в місті - Новини Харкова |url=https://zn.ua/ukr/UKRAINE/kozhnoho-dnja-obstrili-ta-rujnuvannja-miskij-holova-kupjanska-pro-situatsiju-v-misti.html |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=zn.ua}}</ref> and by November 2025, its population had declined to 560.<ref name=pop1>{{cite ISW|date=2025-11-24|quote=Ukrainian Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Head Oleh Synehubov reported on November 24 that Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians continue but that 560 residents remain in Kupyansk.}}</ref><ref name=pop2>{{cite ISW|date=2025-11-26|quote=Ukrainian Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Head Oleh Synehubov reported on November 26 that about 3,000 civilians remain in the Kupyansk direction, including 560 civilians in Kupyansk itself.}}</ref> It is located in the historic region of Sloboda Ukraine.<ref name=htv/>

As of November 2025, Russian forces claim control of the city while top Ukrainian military officials deny this.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian forces take Ukraine's Kupiansk, top military official says, Ukraine denies it |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-met-with-russian-top-military-brass-kremlin-says-2025-11-20/ |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=reuters.com}}</ref>

Until 18 July 2020, Kupiansk was incorporated as a city of oblast significance and the center of Kupiansk Municipality. The municipality was abolished in July 2020, as part of administrative reforms in Ukraine, which reduced the number of raions in Kharkiv Oblast to seven. The area of Kupiansk Municipality was merged into Kupiansk Raion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-07-18 |title=Про утворення та ліквідацію районів. Постанова Верховної Ради України № 807-ІХ. |language=uk |trans-title=About the formation and liquidation of districts. Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine No. 807-IX. |website=Voice of Ukraine |url=http://www.golos.com.ua/article/333466 |access-date=2020-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Нові райони: карти + склад |url=https://www.minregion.gov.ua/press/news/novi-rajony-karty-sklad/ |publisher=Міністерство розвитку громад та територій України |language=Ukrainian}}</ref>

==Overview== Kupiansk is located on the bank of the Oskil River. Kupiansk is divided into three subparts, known as: Kupiansk (main part of town), Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi (where the train station is), and Kivsharivka.

Kupiansk is about two and a half hours from Kharkiv. The two cities are connected by train and bus.

== History == {{recentism section|date=March 2023}}

=== Ancient settlements === Human settlement in the area dates back over 6,000 years. A Neolithic settlement from circa 5000-4000 BC and four Bronze Age burial mounds from 2000 to 1000 BC were discovered near Kupiansk.<ref name=htv/>

=== Early history === thumb|left|Former theological school Kupiansk was founded under the name ''Kupenka'' in 1655 within the region of Sloboda Ukraine.<ref name=htv>{{cite web|url=http://historytv.at.ua/index/kup_jansk/0-736|title=Куп'янськ|language=uk|access-date=23 February 2026}}</ref> It was a typical military Ukrainian Cossack settlement.<ref name=htv/> Residents were engaged in military service, agriculture, crafts, and trade.<ref name=htv/>

After the end of Crimean Tatar raids, since the 1730s, the town's economic development accelerated.<ref name=htv/> In the 18th century, the town began to be called Kupiansk, and became a major trading center.<ref name=htv/> Four annual fairs were organized as of 1767, and six as of 1780.<ref name=htv/> There were also two weekly markets, on Mondays and Fridays.<ref name=htv/> In particular, distilling and milling have developed considerably, but other products were also made in Kupiansk.<ref name=htv/> In 1781, the town's coat of arms was approved.<ref name=htv/> A theological school and a craft school were opened in 1819 and 1885, respectively.<ref name=htv/> Since 1895, Kupiansk obtained railway connections with Kharkiv, Vovchansk and Lysychansk.<ref name=htv/>

During the Ukrainian War of Independence, from 1917 to 1920, it passed between various factions. Afterwards it was administratively part of the Kharkiv Governorate of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite map|author=С. Хургін|title=Адміністраційна Мапа Української Соц. Рад. Республіки|year=1922|scale=1:1,680,000|publisher=Народний комісаріат внутрішніх справ|location=Kharkiv|language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite map|title=Административная карта Украины|year=1923|scale=1:1,050,000|publisher=Народный комиссариат внутренних дел|language=ru}}</ref>

Kupiansk was occupied during World War II by Germany from 24 July 1942 to 3 February 1943.

=== Russo-Ukrainian war=== Kupiansk was first occupied by Russian forces from 27 February 2022 to 10 September 2022.<ref name="Pravda occupation">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/27/7326623/|title=In Kharkiv region, mayor admits to handing over city to occupiers|work=Pravda|date=February 27, 2022|accessdate=February 28, 2022}}</ref> Although the Ukrainian Army had destroyed a railway bridge to slow the Russian advance three days earlier, Kupiansk Mayor Hennadiy Matsehora, member of the Opposition Platform — For Life party, surrendered the city to the Russian Army in exchange for a cessation of hostilities, as the Russians threatened to take the city by force. As a result, the Ukrainian government indicted Matsehora for treason the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayor of Kupiansk who surrendered his city to invaders indicted for treason |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/28/7326851/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Ukrayinska Pravda |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Kharkiv region, mayor admits to handing over city to occupiers |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/27/7326623/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Ukrayinska Pravda |language=en}}</ref> On 28 February 2022, Matsehora was arrested by Ukrainian authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Мера Куп'янська, який здав місто окупантам, затримано – джерело |trans-title=Mayor of Kupiansk, who surrendered the city to the occupiers, has been detained – source |url=https://news.liga.net/ua/politics/news/mer-kupyanska-kotoryy-sdal-gorod-okkupantam-zaderjan-istochnik |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=LIGA |language=uk}}</ref> Later Kupiansk became the ''de facto'' seat of the Russian-backed Kharkiv military-civilian administration<ref name=ft>{{cite news |date=28 September 2022 |title=The 90km journey that changed the course of the war in Ukraine |work=Financial Times(FT) |url=https://ig.ft.com/ukraine-counteroffensive/ |access-date=1 October 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001153222/https://ig.ft.com/ukraine-counteroffensive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and an important logistical supply route.<ref>{{Cite document|last=Goodhind |first=William |date=2023 |title=Report 7: Russian Military Convoys, Occupied-Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, 5 and 31 May 2022 |language=en |doi=10.13140/RG.2.2.22703.10407/1 |publisher=Contested Ground}}</ref> At Kupiansk town hall, the Ukrainian flag continued to be flown for 6 weeks, and at the medical school for 3 months.<ref name="532620Kupiansk">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2022 |title=Замінували цвинтар, допитували дітей. Як оговтується після нашестя росіян Куп'янськ на Харківщині (фото) |trans-title=The cemetery was replaced and the children were interrogated. How Kupiansk recovers after the invasion of Kharkiv in Kharkiv |url=https://lb.ua/society/2022/10/15/532620_zaminuvali_tsvintar_dopituvali.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=LB.ua |language=uk}}</ref> Locals were forced to work for the occupation force, paint bridges in the colours of the Russian flag and perform railway repair for alleged salaries that were never paid out.<ref name="532620Kupiansk"/> Kupiansk was liberated during the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. On 8 September 2022, a representative of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that Ukrainian forces had retaken more than 20 settlements in the Kharkiv Oblast and "in some areas penetrated Russian defence positions up to 50km". On the same day, the Russian occupation authorities claimed that "the Russian army began to defend the city" and that "additional reinforcements entered the region from Russia", indicating that Ukrainian forces were re-approaching the city from the west, after retaking the town of Shevchenkove earlier that day.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/armed-forces-ukraine-advance-kramatorsk-164200498.html | title=Armed Forces of Ukraine advance on Kramatorsk front, killing up to 100 occupiers near Kupiansk General Staff |website=Yahoo! News |date=5 September 2022 }}</ref> On 9 September 2022, Ukrainian forces re-entered the outskirts of Kupiansk and its administrative borders, starting the battle of Kupiansk.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} By the morning of 10 September 2022, Ukrainian forces had recaptured the city council building.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=666_mancer |number=1568484865573617664 |title=Necro Mancer on Twitter: "#Купянск, Харьковская обл., наши в городе"}}</ref> Later that day, a Ukrainian official confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/12/europe/ukraine-kharkiv-russia-retreat-intl/index.html |title='Everybody was running away.' Ukrainians in Kharkiv villages describe Russia's retreat |website=CNN |date=12 September 2022 }}</ref> By September 26, Ukrainian Forces liberated Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, the sister city of Kupiansk, located on the left bank of the Oskil River.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi settlement liberated in Kharkiv Oblast, 6% of Kharkiv Oblast still under occupation |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/09/27/7369277/index.amp |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www.pravda.com.ua}}</ref>

After retreating from the city, Russian troops repeatedly shelled it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.objectiv.tv/uk/objectively/2022/10/03/raketnij-udar-po-likarni-v-kup-yansku-kolegi-rozpovili-pro-zagiblogo-likarya/|title=Ракетний удар по лікарні в Куп'янську: колеги розповіли про загиблого медика|date=2022-10-03|publisher=Об'єктив}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 October 2022 |title=In Kupiansk, in northeast Ukraine, liberation came at a steep cost |last1=Loveluck |first1=Louisa |last2=Korolchuk |first2=Serhii |last3=Grzedzinski |first3=Wojciech |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/15/kupiansk-liberation-ukraine-war-offensive/ |access-date=5 December 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116013003/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/15/kupiansk-liberation-ukraine-war-offensive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In particular, the central city hospital, high-rise buildings and a lyceum,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/327624-u-kupanskomu-rajoni-fiksuut-naslidki-rosijskih-artobstriliv-29-listopada/|title=У Куп'янському районі фіксують наслідки російських артобстрілів 29 листопада|website=suspilne.media|date=2022-11-29}}</ref> the Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi railway station<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/331232-rf-obstrilala-kupansk-vuzlovij-na-harkivsini-poskodzena-zaliznicna-infrastruktura/|title=РФ обстріляла Куп'янськ-Вузловий на Харківщині: пошкоджена залізнична інфраструктура|website=suspilne.media|date=2022-12-04}}</ref> and others were damaged.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/331642-vranci-5-grudna-rosia-obstrilala-kupansku-gromadu-zgorila-stancia-tehobslugovuvanna/|title=Вранці 5 грудня Росія обстріляла Куп'янську громаду: згоріла станція техобслуговування|website=suspilne.media|date=2022-12-05}}</ref>

The first strikes against the town were on 13 September, which killed two civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three civilians killed in Russia's shelling of Kharkiv region |date=13 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3570225-three-civilians-killed-in-russias-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194354/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3570225-three-civilians-killed-in-russias-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, one person was wounded from airstrikes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three wounded in enemy attacks on liberated territories of Kharkiv region |date=14 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3571029-three-wounded-in-enemy-attacks-on-liberated-territories-of-kharkiv-region.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194358/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3571029-three-wounded-in-enemy-attacks-on-liberated-territories-of-kharkiv-region.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 September, five people were injured from shelling in Kupiansk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian forces shell civilian car in Kharkiv region, killing two women |date=18 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3573958-russian-forces-shell-civilian-car-in-kharkiv-region-killing-two-women.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194354/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3573958-russian-forces-shell-civilian-car-in-kharkiv-region-killing-two-women.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Two days later, two civilians were killed and five injured after Russian shelling on the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two civilians killed, nine more injured in enemy shelling of Kharkiv region |date=20 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3575805-two-civilians-killed-nine-more-injured-in-enemy-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194353/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3575805-two-civilians-killed-nine-more-injured-in-enemy-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 22 September, a woman and two children were injured by shelling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian troops again shell liberated Kupiansk, injuring woman and two children |date=22 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3577660-russian-troops-again-shell-liberated-kupiansk-injuring-woman-and-two-children.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194402/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3577660-russian-troops-again-shell-liberated-kupiansk-injuring-woman-and-two-children.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 September, Russian forces shelled a convoy of civilians escaping the villages of Kurylivka and Pishchane near Kupiansk, killing 26 civilians. Signs of torture were discovered in Russian administration centers throughout the city.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gallón |first1=Natalie |last2=Walsh |first2=Nick Paton |last3=Gak |first3=Kostyantin |last4=Lâiné |first4=Brice |date=19 September 2022 |title=Liberation has finally come to Ukraine's Kharkiv. But scars of Russia's brutal occupation remain |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/europe/kupiansk-ukraine-liberated-russia-intl-cmd/index.html |access-date=5 December 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205044616/https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/europe/kupiansk-ukraine-liberated-russia-intl-cmd/index.Html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 September, five civilians were injured after a Russian strike on a church in Kupiansk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Missile strike on Kupiansk: President's Office shows consequences of attack |date=27 September 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3580391-missile-strike-on-kupiansk-presidents-office-shows-consequences-of-attack.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194355/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3580391-missile-strike-on-kupiansk-presidents-office-shows-consequences-of-attack.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

thumb|Central City Hospital after Russian shelling, 3 October 2022 On 3 October, Russian shelling of a hospital in Kupiansk killed a doctor and injured a nurse.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zelensky: invaders shell hospital in Kupyansk, killing doctor, injuring nurse |date=3 October 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3585080-zelensky-invaders-shell-hospital-in-kupyansk-killing-doctor-injuring-nurse.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194353/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3585080-zelensky-invaders-shell-hospital-in-kupyansk-killing-doctor-injuring-nurse.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One woman was injured on 5 October by an airstrike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three civilians injured in enemy shelling of Kharkiv region |date=5 October 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3586223-three-civilians-injured-in-enemy-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |access-date=9 December 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209194400/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3586223-three-civilians-injured-in-enemy-shelling-of-kharkiv-region.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kupiansk's bridge over the Oskil River was partially damaged in combat, and became suitable only for use by pedestrians.<ref name="Iltalehti">{{cite news | url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ulkomaat/a/425e6a23-0e4c-41b4-a9f6-2f08cb86c155#gallery | title=IL Ukrainassa: Kraken-yksikkö työnsi venäläiset ulos Kupianskista – taisteluissa kaduilla juoksi sikoja ja venäläiset pakenivat metsään |last=Järvenkylä |first=Nina |date=16 November 2022 |work=Iltalehti |language=fi | access-date=6 December 2022 | archive-date=6 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206152433/https://www.iltalehti.fi/ulkomaat/a/425e6a23-0e4c-41b4-a9f6-2f08cb86c155#gallery | url-status=live }}</ref> Russian forces bombed the local meat factory of Kupiansk, killing around a thousand pigs.<ref name="Iltalehti"/> thumb|left|Aftermath of Russian shelling of Kupiansk, 25 January 2023

On 3 March 2023, Ukrainian authorities ordered an evacuation of civilians from the city due to advances of the Russian Armed Forces around Kupiansk and Bakhmut.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64833750| title="Ukraine orders evacuation of city it recaptured (BBC)"| work=BBC News| date=3 March 2023}}</ref>

On 14 November 2024, two Russian armoured vehicle columns advanced into the city from the northeast,<ref name="ISW 2024-11-14">{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 14, 2024 |last1=Wolkov |first1=Nicole |last2=Mappes |first2=Grace |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Runkel |first4=William |last5=Runkel |first5=William |last6=Gibson |first6=Olivia |last7=Kagan |first7=Frederick W. |last8=Trotter |first8=Nate |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=14 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14-2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=14 November 2024|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/11/14/7484410/|title=Russians occupy Illinka in Donetsk Oblast and enter Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast – DeepState|first=Ivan|last=Diakonov}}</ref> though reportedly had tenuous control over the area.<ref name="ISW 2024-11-14"/> Russian forces made further progress into the city the following day, with fighting reportedly ongoing in the industrial area, and were reportedly setting up supply lines to assist in further offensive efforts.<ref name="ISW 2024-11-15">{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 15, 2024 |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Hird |first2=Karolina |last3=Evans |first3=Angelica |last4=Runkel |first4=William |last5=Gasparyan |first5=Davit |last6=Gibson |first6=Olivia |last7=Barros |first7=George |last8=Trotter |first8=Nate |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=15 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-15-2024}}</ref> After facing logistical problems, Russian forces withdraw from Kupiansk in late November.

{{further|Kupiansk offensive}} At the end of November 2024, a Ukrainian official confirmed that Russian troops recently crossed over to the west bank of the Oskil River north of Kupiansk near the suspension bridge south of Novomlynsk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian forces advance near Vuhledar, Russian troops capture two villages near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-seizes-two-villages-near-pokrovsk-and-kurakhove-in-donetsk-oblast-isw-maps-50470648.html |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=New Voice |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia could encircle Kupyansk if they secure right bank of Oskil |url=https://global.espreso.tv/military-news-if-russians-secure-right-bank-of-oskil-they-could-encircle-kupyansk |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=global.espreso.tv |language=en}}</ref> At the same time, Ukraine's General Staff admitted that Russian forces launched attacks on the west bank near Fyholivka, Holubivka, and Kindrashivka''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 29, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-29-2024 |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref>'' The fighting continued into December 2024,<ref>{{cite web |date=23 December 2024 |title=Russians build bridgeheads on the Oskil River and the Dnipro. Day 1034 of the war |url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-23/russians-build-bridgeheads-oskil-river-and-dnipro-day-1034-war |website=OSW}}</ref> when Ukrainian troops reported that Russian forces were attempting to cross the Oskil river a few kilometres north of Kupiansk city.

At the end of January 2025, the Institute for the Study of War assessed that Russian forces are attempting to use their bridgeheads across the Oskil river to support their advances and encircle Kupiansk from the northwest, as well as set the ground for future advances and offensives into Kharkiv Oblast.<ref name="January 31">{{cite web |date=31 January 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 31, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-31-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> In September 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the seizure of Kupiansk would support Russian efforts to advance toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk (both south of Kupiansk) and seize Ukraine's fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast, which further highlighted the strategic importance of the city during the war.<ref name="September 23">{{cite web |date=23 September 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 23, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-23-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>

thumb|Residential building after Russian bombing, 6 April 2025 On 24 May 2025, ''Ukrainska Pravda'' reported that over 90% of Kupiansk is destroyed or damaged from the bombardment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast 90% destroyed or damaged, situation is critical |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/24/7513882/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>

During the Kupiansk offensive, misinformation and false intelligence reports from the Russian Ministry of Defence have sparked friendly fire incidents among Russian troops. By early October 2025 the city was again partially occupied by Russia.<ref>[https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/10/03/frontline-report-russian-false-reports-trigger-friendly-fire-chaos-in-kupiansk/ Frontline report: Russian false reports trigger friendly fire chaos in Kupiansk]</ref> On 20 November 2025, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the full capture of Kupiansk, although the Ukrainian military denies this.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-met-with-russian-top-military-brass-kremlin-says-2025-11-20/|title=Russian forces captured Ukraine's Kupiansk, top military official tells Putin|publisher=Reuters|date=20 November 2025|access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> On 12 December, President Zelenskyy confirmed with his visit that the city is not captured.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-12 |title='Reality speaks for itself' — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack |url=https://kyivindependent.com/zelenskyy-visits-kupiansk-says-recent-battlefield-gains-strengthen-ukraines-diplomatic-position/ |access-date= |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}</ref>

Uawire reports that "The operation to liberate Kupyansk remains far from complete", and that "Clearing continues “house by house,” complicated by the presence of civilians “whom the Russians use as human shields.""<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-15 |title=Khartia Brigade counterattack near Kupyansk disrupts Putin's plans |url=https://www.uawire.org/khartia-brigade-counterattack-near-kupyansk-disrupts-putin-s-plans |access-date= 15 December 2025|website=www.uawire.org/ |language=en}}</ref>

== Population == {{multiple image |align=right |perrow=2 |total_width=345 |image1 = Childrens Music School in Kupiansk 2.jpg |image2 = Kupiansk Central Raion Library (10 2018) 01.jpg |image3 = Kupiansk Office of the State Treasury of Ukraine in Kharkiv oblast.jpg |image4 = Братська могила жертв фашизму у Куп'янську.jpg |caption1 = Childrens Music School |caption2 = Kupiansk Central Raion Library |caption3 = Kupiansk Office of the State Treasury of Ukraine |caption4 = Mass grave of the victims of Nazi Germany}}

=== Ethnicity and language === Ethnic makeup of the city as of 2001:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://datatowel.in.ua/pop-composition/ethnic-cities | title=Національний склад міст }}</ref> {{bar box|title=Ethnic groups in Kupiansk|titlebar=#ddd|left1=|right1=percent|bars={{bar percent|Ukrainians|dodgerblue|77.73}} {{bar percent|Russians|purple|16.20}} {{bar percent|Belarusians|red|0.40}} {{bar percent|Armenians|red|0.18}}}}

Distribution of the population by native language according to the 2001 census:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://socialdata.org.ua/projects/mova-2001/ | title=Рідні мови в об'єднаних територіальних громадах України }}</ref> {| class="standard" |- ! Language ! Percentage |- | Ukrainian | align="right"| 78.03% |- | Russian | align="right"| 19.59% |- | other/undecided | align="right"| 2.38% |}

==Geography== ===Climate=== {{Weather box |location = Kupiansk (1981–2010) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |width = auto |Jan high C = -1.7 |Feb high C = -1.1 |Mar high C = 5.1 |Apr high C = 15.3 |May high C = 22.3 |Jun high C = 26.0 |Jul high C = 28.1 |Aug high C = 27.4 |Sep high C = 20.9 |Oct high C = 13.0 |Nov high C = 4.4 |Dec high C = -0.6 |year high C = 13.3 |Jan mean C = -4.5 |Feb mean C = -4.6 |Mar mean C = 0.8 |Apr mean C = 9.5 |May mean C = 15.9 |Jun mean C = 19.7 |Jul mean C = 21.7 |Aug mean C = 20.4 |Sep mean C = 14.5 |Oct mean C = 8.0 |Nov mean C = 1.2 |Dec mean C = -3.4 |year mean C = 8.3 |Jan low C = -7.3 |Feb low C = -7.8 |Mar low C = -2.8 |Apr low C = 4.1 |May low C = 9.5 |Jun low C = 13.7 |Jul low C = 15.5 |Aug low C = 13.8 |Sep low C = 8.8 |Oct low C = 3.6 |Nov low C = -1.6 |Dec low C = -6.1 |year low C = 3.6 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 42.9 |Feb precipitation mm = 41.4 |Mar precipitation mm = 38.7 |Apr precipitation mm = 34.7 |May precipitation mm = 48.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 73.6 |Jul precipitation mm = 61.5 |Aug precipitation mm = 39.7 |Sep precipitation mm = 47.0 |Oct precipitation mm = 43.8 |Nov precipitation mm = 45.9 |Dec precipitation mm = 45.0 |year precipitation mm = 562.8 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 9.5 |Feb precipitation days = 8.6 |Mar precipitation days = 8.1 |Apr precipitation days = 6.3 |May precipitation days = 7.1 |Jun precipitation days = 8.8 |Jul precipitation days = 7.0 |Aug precipitation days = 5.3 |Sep precipitation days = 7.0 |Oct precipitation days = 6.3 |Nov precipitation days = 7.1 |Dec precipitation days = 8.5 |year precipitation days = 89.6 |Jan humidity = 83.8 |Feb humidity = 81.2 |Mar humidity = 76.6 |Apr humidity = 65.4 |May humidity = 61.3 |Jun humidity = 65.2 |Jul humidity = 64.5 |Aug humidity = 64.4 |Sep humidity = 70.8 |Oct humidity = 77.1 |Nov humidity = 84.1 |Dec humidity = 85.2 |year humidity = 73.3 |source 1 = World Meteorological Organization<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717143555/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Ukraine/12.6.%20WMO_Normals_Excel_Template%20%282%29.xls | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Ukraine/12.6.%20WMO_Normals_Excel_Template%20(2).xls | title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010 | publisher = World Meteorological Organization | access-date = 18 July 2021}}</ref> }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline|Kupiansk|'''Kupiansk'''}}

Category:Cities in Kharkiv Oblast Category:Kupyansky Uyezd Category:Cities of regional significance in Ukraine Category:Cities and towns in the Sloboda Ukraine Category:Populated places established in 1655 Category:Kupiansk Category:Kupiansk Raion