Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came up with a simple and effective way to combat Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims that Ukrainian troops in Kupiansk were surrounded — show up in person and post selfies.
The Kremlin has been claiming for weeks that Russian troops had recaptured Kupiansk, a city in the Kharkiv Oblast in northeastern Ukraine near the border with Russia — claims that Ukraine has repeatedly disputed.
Described by The Kyiv Post as “one of the hottest parts of the frontline,” Kupiansk was occupied by Russia in the early months of the full-scale invasion until it was liberated during the September 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. Russian troops have continued to attack the city, shelling hospitals, schools, apartments, and other infrastructure and civilian buildings.
Recently, Putin had doubled down on claiming Kupiansk was under Russian control and even invited international media to visit and verify his claims.
On Friday, Zelensky posted a short video from Kupiansk standing in front of its distinctive city sign.
Today, I am in the Kupyansk sector, with our warriors who are getting the job done for Ukraine here.
The Russians kept going on about Kupyansk – the reality speaks for itself. I visited our troops and congratulated them. Thank you to each and every warrior! I am proud of you!… pic.twitter.com/kraYEBSSai
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 12, 2025