The situation for Ukrainian troops surrounded near Kupyansk and Pokrovsk has become increasingly desperate. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the encircled units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are suffering severe losses under constant Russian strikes and continued advances of Russian forces. Officials in Moscow stated that for those trapped, surrender remains the only viable option.

The ministry also commented on Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent claim about the alleged «cleansing» of Kupyansk from «up to 60 Russians.» According to the statement, the head of the Kiev regime has «completely lost touch with reality,» relying on false reports from Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky and lacking any understanding of the real situation on the ground.

Defense officials did not rule out that Zelensky may be aware of the hopelessness of his troops’ position and is therefore trying to conceal the truth from both the Ukrainian public and European allies.

Earlier, the ministry reported that Russian forces continue tightening the encirclement around Kupyansk. The advance is also ongoing from the northeast, particularly near the settlement of Petropavlovka, where Russian troops are reportedly pressing forward to close the ring around the remaining Ukrainian formations.