Putin says Russian troops advanced in Ukraine's Kupiansk, Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian President (Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces have taken control of two-thirds of Kupiansk and entered several other major cities during his speech at the Valdai Forum.
"The Western grouping of forces has practically taken one of the large settlements, two-thirds of Kupiansk. The city center is already in our hands, while fighting continues in the southern part of the city," Putin said.
He also added that the Center grouping had allegedly entered Krasnoarmiisk (the former name of Pokrovsk until 2016). Meanwhile, the Southern grouping had entered the city of Kostiantynivka, which, he said, is one of Ukraine’s key defensive lines.
"Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk—these are defense lines that have been built for more than ten years with the help of Western experts. They have also entered Siversk, another large settlement, where fighting is ongoing," Putin claimed.
Fighting for Kupiansk
Three weeks ago, Russian troops managed to break closer to Kupiansk through underground pipelines.
Russian saboteurs also entered the northern part of the city, where they were eliminated by Ukrainian defenders.
A week later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian units were clearing out Russian troops that had infiltrated Kupiansk, stressing the enemy inside the city would be destroyed.
Several days ago, the city was closed to entry and exit to conduct a counter-sabotage operation.
Battles near Pokrovsk
Pokrovsk remains a top priority target for Russian forces. The area around the city usually sees the highest number of enemy assaults.
In the past day alone, Ukrainian troops repelled 45 Russian attacks near the city.
Maksym Bakulin, spokesperson for the 14th Operational Brigade of the National Guard Chervona Kalyna, said on October 1 that Russian forces are losing massive numbers of soldiers there every day.
Official reports indicated that only small sabotage groups sometimes manage to infiltrate the city.
Fighting near Kostiantynivka
Kostiantynivka has been regularly attacked by Russian forces using air bombs, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and drones.
There has been no official confirmation that Russian troops have entered the city.
