Russian Forces Surround Ukrainian Troops Near Kupyansk
In a recent address at the Annual Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that approximately 15,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces militants have been surrounded by Russian troops in the Kupyansk direction. Putin detailed that two significant groups, one comprising 10,000 and the other 5,000 militants, are encircled, with Ukrainian forces attempting to establish pontoon crossings for evacuation, which are being swiftly targeted by Russian artillery.
Putin emphasized the strategic importance of this blockade, stating that it allows Russian forces to maintain the initiative on the battlefield. He noted that the Kupyansk section has become increasingly problematic for Ukrainian forces, with reports indicating that the situation is nearing collapse in certain areas. The president also mentioned that ongoing military actions in the Kursk border region have resulted in substantial losses for Ukrainian troops, with estimates suggesting over 30,000 casualties in recent months alone.
The Russian Defense Ministry has corroborated these developments, reporting improvements in tactical positions and successful engagements in the regions surrounding Kupyansk, Berestovoye, and Petropavlovka. The head of the Russian administration in the Kharkiv region, Vitaly Ganchev, indicated that Russian forces are just a few kilometers away from the outskirts of Kupyansk, further tightening their control over logistics routes crucial for Ukrainian operations.
