Reports are emerging that Ukraine is planning a major counteroffensive targeting the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region.
According to the Telegram channel Shot, the operation could see around 2,500 soldiers deployed, with an unusual mix of personnel that includes convicts and Brazilian mercenaries.
A Patchwork Force Assembled
The assault is said to involve fighters drawn from multiple units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Among these are the 2nd Corps Khartia, elements of the National Guard, the Shkval battalion — reportedly made up almost entirely of prisoners — and a contingent dubbed the Brazilian Legion.
According to the same sources, prisoners are being recruited from correctional facilities including IK-100 and IK-43, which are known to house individuals convicted of serious and violent crimes, including organized crime figures and life-sentence inmates.
Prison Recruits Sent to the Frontlines
Reports claim that nearly all inmates from these facilities have been enlisted for military service.
The move has drawn scrutiny because many of these individuals are repeat offenders or have been convicted of brutal murders, raising concerns over the ethics and effectiveness of sending prisoners directly into combat.
Not the First Attempt at Kupyansk
This is reportedly not Ukraine’s first effort to push into Kupyansk using a mix of mercenaries and convicts.
Days earlier, a prior offensive allegedly deployed around 4,000 troops, including foreign mercenaries from Brazil and Colombia, supported by heavy military hardware.
That mission’s success remains unclear, but the reports suggest continued pressure in the region.
Zelensky’s Video Sparks Questions
Last Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video claiming to show Ukrainian forces operating under difficult conditions in Kupyansk.
He stated that Ukraine was still achieving results on this part of the front.
However, military historian Yevgeny Norin noted that the footage appeared to be taken in the western part of the city, on Kharkivska Street — outside areas officially controlled by Ukrainian forces.
A Dangerous Repeat
Shortly after, two female Ukrainian soldiers attempted to enter the city themselves but had to retreat when their vehicle came under a drone attack.
The incident highlighted ongoing dangers and raised further questions about the situation on the ground.
Discrepancies in the Footage
Observers noticed discrepancies between Zelensky’s video and later footage.
For example, a memorial stele visible in the background appeared intact in the president’s video but showed damage in later clips published by the soldiers.
Journalists suggested the video could have been recorded before its release, or the monument could have been damaged afterward.
Russian reconnaissance footage appears to support the idea that the stele was already damaged prior to Zelensky’s visit, according to military commentator Yury Podolyaka.
A High-Risk Strategy
Ukraine’s plans for Kupyansk, involving convicts and foreign mercenaries, remain controversial.
While the operation could potentially shift control of the city, the human cost and ethical questions surrounding the deployment of prisoners add a complex layer to an already tense conflict.
What’s Next
As Kyiv moves forward with its plans, analysts and observers are watching closely.
The combination of high-risk tactics and disputed reporting underscores how uncertain the situation remains on the ground in Kupyansk.
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