Edith HejbergStanding beside Ukrainian troops, the president appeared confident and defiant, using the moment to undermine Moscow’s narrative.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a surprise visit to the frontline city of Kupiansk on Friday, sending a clear message to Moscow.
The trip came exactly one month after Russian officials falsely claimed they had fully taken the city. Zelensky’s appearance was both a morale boost for troops and a direct counter to Kremlin propaganda.
Kupiansk: the city Russia claimed to control
Back in mid-November, top Russian generals, followed by President Vladimir Putin himself, announced they had captured Kupiansk.
The claim was widely circulated by Russian state media. However, Ukraine immediately denied the reports, insisting their forces still held the line. Zelensky’s visit now adds physical proof to Kyiv’s version of events.
“The reality speaks for itself,” says Zelensky
In a video released after the visit, Zelensky dismissed Russian claims with a pointed remark. “The Russians keep talking about Kupiansk, the reality speaks for itself,” he said.
Standing beside Ukrainian troops, the president appeared confident and defiant, using the moment to undermine Moscow’s narrative.
Marking Land Forces Day on the front line
The visit coincided with Land Forces Day, celebrated in Ukraine on December 12. Zelensky used the occasion to personally thank the soldiers defending the region. “I visited our soldiers and congratulated them.
Thank you to every fighter! I’m proud of you!” he said in his message.
In the trenches with Ukrainian troops
Zelensky didn’t just stop for a photo-op. He visited troops in forward positions, walking through trenches and speaking directly with soldiers.
His presence highlighted the harsh conditions on the eastern front and aimed to boost the morale of those holding the defensive line under constant pressure.
Russia’s narrative begins to unravel
Despite Moscow’s confident declarations last month, Ukrainian military leaders quickly pushed back.
General Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, insisted Kupiansk remained under Ukrainian control. Now, Zelensky’s visit lends further credibility to that stance.
General Gerasimov’s bold claim questioned
Russian Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, had stated in November that Russian troops had seized Kupiansk and 80 percent of nearby Volchansk.
The announcement was echoed by other Russian officials, but no independent evidence ever supported the full occupation claim.
A jab at Putin, right on the map
By walking through Kupiansk days after Putin declared it captured, Zelensky effectively mocked the Russian leader without naming him.
The optics of the visit, Zelensky on the ground, troops behind him, and Ukrainian flags still flying, made a strong visual counter to the Kremlin’s narrative.
Propaganda versus presence
The stark difference between Moscow’s messaging and Kyiv’s action is hard to ignore. While Russian media has leaned heavily on bold claims,
Zelensky’s visit showed that Ukraine is still very much present in contested areas. His appearance was as symbolic as it was strategic.
Ukrainian Staff: “Russians spread fake news”
Ukrainian military officials accused Russia of deliberately spreading disinformation to influence morale and perception.
The claim about Kupiansk’s fall, they say, was just the latest example of psychological warfare. Zelensky’s visit was intended to dismantle that illusion in the most public way possible.
Kupiansk still holds, Ukraine stays firm
Despite intense fighting, Ukrainian forces continue to hold Kupiansk and the surrounding region.
Military updates suggest Russian attacks in the area have not resulted in major territorial gains. Kyiv remains determined to protect the region, both militarily and symbolically.
A successful strike elsewhere boosts Ukraine’s confidence
Just as Zelensky was visiting Kupiansk, news broke of a successful Ukrainian strike on a Russian oil refinery.
The hit dealt another blow to Russia’s logistics and further reinforced Ukraine’s ability to strike back despite a long and grinding war.
A message to Ukrainians and the world
Zelensky’s visit wasn’t just about Kupiansk. It was a wider message, to Ukrainians, to Russians, and to international allies, that Ukraine remains resilient, and its leaders remain connected to the front.
With winter settling in and battles continuing, symbolism matters as much as strategy.
