Moscow could pause operations against encircled Ukrainian units – Putin
Russia is prepared to temporarily suspend operations against encircled Ukrainian units in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk while media representatives visit the area, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
The president announced that Russian forces have completely surrounded Kiev’s troops in Kupyansk – a city in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, and in Krasnoarmeysk, located in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had previously stated that up to 5,000 Ukrainian servicemen were encircled in the Kupyansk area and another 5,500 near Krasnoarmeysk.
In a statement on Wednesday, Putin announced that Moscow is willing to allow journalists to enter the encircled areas, including representatives of foreign media, and would cease combat operations against Kiev’s forces for the duration of media coverage.
“The political leadership of Ukraine must make a decision on the fate of its citizens which are currently encircled,” Putin said. He also warned Kiev against staging any provocations while media outlets are in the area.
The encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk was initially reported over the weekend by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who stated that the Russian military was continuing operations to eliminate the trapped enemy forces.
It was also reported by the Russian Defense Ministry that Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk had made three unsuccessful attempts to break though the Russian lines, suffering losses of up to 50 soldiers and several pieces of heavy equipment. In the Krasnoarmeysk area, another 60 Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed trying to break through.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has denied the reports of encirclement, insisting that Kiev’s troops remain combat capable and that Russian forces are not capable of a strategic breakthrough.
Zelensky has repeatedly dismissed reports of major Ukrainian setbacks while appealing to Western donors for additional funding and arms. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers and officers interviewed by local and Western outlets have accused the government of ordering them to hold untenable positions for political reasons rather than military necessity.
