Russian military commanders informed President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that their troops have established control over the city of Kupyansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, presenting the development as part of a broader advance on the eastern front.

Colonel General Sergey Kuzovlev, who leads the Zapad (Western) group of forces, briefed Putin during the president's visit to a frontline command post. According to Kuzovlev, Russian troops have sealed the area and blocked any attempts by Ukrainian units to escape the fighting. "The city is under our control ... The breakthrough of the Ukrainian formations from the encirclement was not allowed," he told Putin, adding that small, isolated Ukrainian groups still in the vicinity were being eliminated. He also said his units are pushing toward the settlement of Krasny Liman.

During the same visit, the commander of the Yug (South) group, Sergey Medvedev, reported progress in another sector of the front. He stated that Russian forces are moving north of the Kleban-Bykske Reservoir near Konstantinovka and now maintain near-total control over Ivanopolye, known in Ukrainian as Ivanopillya.

Putin praised the leadership of the Zapad group, saying the military had met all objectives discussed at a meeting held on October 25. "Everything you said, everything you reported at the meeting on October 25 that I already mentioned, everything related to this area - it has all been accomplished. All the tasks assigned to you have been accomplished. Thank you for this work," he said.

GERASIMOV: "Units of the Battlegroup West have liberated the city of Kupyansk."

PUTIN: "Ukraine's political leadership is no longer any kind of political leadership. This is a criminal gang." pic.twitter.com/cUnI1xrvj6

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) November 20, 2025

Kuzovlev, in turn, noted that his forces had repelled Ukraine's counterattacks and prevented Ukrainian engineering units from rebuilding destroyed Oskol (Oskil) River crossings. "It has all been accomplished. All the tasks assigned to you have been accomplished," he told the president, adding that the defensive and offensive goals set for the group had been fulfilled.

In recent months, Russia has made significant gains, including the capture of nearly 5,000 square km of Ukrainian territory in 2025 and advance in eastern sectors such as Zaporozhye and Donetsk. 

On the Diplomatic Front

In parallel with developments on the battlefield, Washington is attempting to revive diplomatic initiatives to address the wider conflict. Earlier on Thursday, reports surfaced that US President Donald Trump had approved a 28-point plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, prompting unease among US allies and officials in Kiev.

The proposal, still under negotiation, is said to include security guarantees for both sides as well as potential territorial concessions by Ukraine in exchange for long-term assurances.

A US Army delegation led by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll visited Kiev this week as part of what officials described as an effort to "restart peace negotiations," though Ukrainian officials noted they were not involved in shaping the plan's details. European governments have also urged Washington to ensure that any initiative includes both Ukrainian input and coordination with EU partners.

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