STORY: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 12) that he visited the frontline town of Kupiansk in eastern Ukraine, adding that military achievements would help Kyiv's diplomatic efforts.

"Today, it is extremely important to achieve results on the front lines so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy," Zelenskiy, wearing a bulletproof vest, said in a video showing him in front of the name of the city at its entrance.

Reuters confirmed the location as Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine from the buildings, petrol station, road layout seen in the video which matched satellite and file imagery of the area. The exact date when the video was filmed could not be independently verified.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Ukraine's Zelenskiy visits frontline Kupiansk, says military advances will help diplomatic talks

VIDEO SHOWS: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY COMMENTING WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE KUPIANSK ROAD SIGN

Verification:

- Buildings, petrol station, road layout matched satellite and file images.

- Exact date could not be independently verified.

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: KUPIANSK, KHARKIV REGION, UKRAINE (RELEASED DECEMBER 12, 2025) (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"I wish you good health, today's destination is Kupiansk. (CHANGE OF FRAME) Our soldiers are achieving results (OVER SHOT OF KUPIANSK ROAD SIGN) for Ukraine. Russians talked a lot about Kupiansk. We are seeing, I was (there)."

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"I congratulated the guys. I thank every unit, everyone who is fighting here, everyone who is destroying the occupiers. Today, it is extremely important to achieve results on the front lines (AUDIO OF EXPLOSION) so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy." (CHANGE OF FRAME) That's how it works. All our strong positions within the country. (CHANGE OF FRAME) Strong positions in talks about ending the war. I am grateful to every soldier. I am proud of you. (CHANGE OF FRAME) Thank you to all our ground forces.(CHANGE OF FRAME) Today is your day. Thank you, guys! Glory to Ukraine."