Russian President Vladimir Putin visited one of the command centers of the Joint Forces Group, where he held a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and commanders involved in the special military operation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported the visit, noting that the session focused on detailed frontline updates.

According to Peskov, Russian military leaders presented comprehensive reports on the situation along the line of contact, with particular attention to developments near Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk.

During the meeting, Putin announced that on October 21, Russia conducted tests of advanced weapons systems as part of a strategic nuclear forces exercise. He singled out the Burevestnik missile, which he said successfully completed testing — covering 14,000 kilometers in 15 hours of flight and meeting all key objectives. The president instructed the Defense Ministry to prepare infrastructure for the missile’s deployment within the Russian Armed Forces.

Putin stressed that Russia’s nuclear shield has proven its reliability and that the country’s strategic forces remain at the highest level of readiness. He underscored the unique capabilities of the Burevestnik, describing its range as practically unlimited and capable of overcoming any obstacles.

In his report, Gerasimov informed the president that Russian forces had completed the encirclement of Ukrainian units in the Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) and Dimitrov (Mirnograd) areas. He stated that roughly 5,000 Ukrainian troops were surrounded near Kupyansk and another 5,500 in the Krasnoarmeysk sector.

Putin congratulated the Russian military on their advances in these directions and instructed commanders to ensure the safe surrender of Ukrainian fighters to minimize losses on both sides.

The president also emphasized that Russia would not tie its operational decisions to any symbolic calendar dates, insisting that actions on the ground must follow military logic. He further directed that, during the liberation of territories, Russian forces must prioritize the safety of the civilian population.