Russia claims 'encirclement' of 15 Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions and 'capture' of Kupiansk
Illustrative photo: Russian forces are inventing the "encirclement" of Kupiansk for the second time (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, have fabricated claims about the "encirclement of 15 Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions" in Kupiansk and, at the same time, the "liberation" of the city, according to Russian propagandists.
In particular, Putin visited one of the command posts of the Zapad group of Russian occupation forces, where he listened to "reports" from the military leadership. There was virtually no truth in these reports, as they once again began mentioning the alleged "encirclement" of Pokrovsk.
However, with Kupiansk, Russia outdid itself. First, Putin claimed that supposedly "up to 15 Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions" were "blocked" in Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. And then, just a few minutes later, Gerasimov stated that the city had allegedly already been "liberated."
Putin pretended he "did not hear" that and ordered that "conditions be ensured" for the supposed "full surrender" of the so-called "encircled units," which, according to Russia’s narrative, are in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk.
In addition, the Russian leader voiced a fabrication about "urban fighting" in Kostiantynivka and once again claimed that the Ukrainian authorities were allegedly "illegitimate." He also said that all the goals of the special military operation — as Russia calls its war against Ukraine — "will certainly be achieved."
The funniest part is that this is the second attempt to invent an "encirclement" in less than a month. On October 26, Putin held a meeting at the command post of the unified group of Russian occupation forces, where he was assured that Ukrainian troops had allegedly been encircled in several directions. At that time, the discussion was specifically about the Pokrovsk and Kupiansk directions — the Kremlin leader even invited "media representatives" to these cities.
Real situation in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk
Meanwhile, despite the claims made by Putin and Gerasimov, the real situation in Kupiansk is significantly better for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Russian presence in Kupiansk has decreased substantially — fewer than 50 occupiers remain in the city. The Russian troops have been cut off from logistics and have been partially pushed out of the city.
In addition, Ukrainian forces are preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold in the northern part of the city. Because of this, the Russian army have launched an information operation in the Kupiansk area, trying to create the illusion of control over the city.
As for Pokrovsk, the 7th Air Assault Corps reported that Russian occupation forces are attempting to bypass the city and seize the settlement of Hryshyne to the northwest. They are unable to break through the defenses in Pokrovsk: over the course of four days, the Russian forces lost nearly 500 personnel in these attempts.
