For five consecutive months, the Russian military command has been systematically distorting the reality on the battlefield, claiming advances that exist only in Kremlin reports. According to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), claims by the Russian leadership regarding their progress west of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region are completely unfounded.
On May 16, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov made a series of false statements regarding the operational situation in the Kupyansk, Borova, and Lyman sectors. He claimed that Russian forces were advancing west of Kupyansk toward Shevchenkove. This rhetoric is clearly intended to fabricate an illusion of control over key strategic areas, whereas in reality, these positions remain under the firm control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
ISW analysts emphasize that these statements are contradicted by objective data. Russian troops have failed to establish any fortified positions within Kupyansk, and their presence is limited to minor, uncoordinated incursions. Contrary to Gerasimov’s claims, Russian forces do not control Velyka Shapkivka, Shyivka, or Lyman. Their actual penetration into these areas is statistically negligible and offers no strategic advantage.
This disinformation campaign serves both domestic political propaganda and psychological warfare tactics aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian morale. However, the high costs of these failed offensives are evident in the daily casualty figures reported on the front lines. The attempt to paint a picture of successful advancement is a staple of Russian hybrid warfare, designed to mask the tactical failures and logistical struggles within their units.
It is critical to rely on verified information rather than the narrative spun by the Kremlin’s military mouthpieces. The reality on the ground confirms that despite the loud announcements, the actual combat effectiveness of Russian forces in the Kupyansk sector continues to decline. Ukrainian commanders, who are closely monitoring the situation on the approaches to Kupyansk, remain focused on containment and defensive strategy, ensuring that the Russian narrative of a “successful offensive” remains a fiction.