What lies behind repeated claims by Putin’s entourage about 'capturing' Ukraine's Kupiansk
Illustrative photo: Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council explains why Putin’s inner circle once again claims the supposed "capture" of Kupiansk (Getty Images)
The Russian army’s leadership fears paying for defeats with their positions, which is why it has once again claimed the supposed "capture" of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
"Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey Belousov continues to lie by claiming that Russia controls Kupiansk. In reality, most of the city is controlled by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, which are continuing to clear it of Russian troops," Kovalenko said.
According to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, all officials of Russian President Vladimir Putin — from Valery Gerasimov, who was the first to claim the alleged control of the city, to Belousov — are continuing this lie in Putin’s presence.
"Such actions can be linked not only to fear of paying for defeats with their positions, but rather to the desire of the elites and Putin’s inner circle to continue the war at any cost. That is why they tell him about 'victories.' In fact, Putin himself wants to keep fighting," he added.
Operation of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in Kupiansk
On December 12, Russian occupying forces found themselves encircled in Kupiansk, which, according to Putin’s claims, had supposedly already been "liberated" twice. The command of the 2nd Corps of Ukraine’s National Guard Khartiia reported a successful counterattack by Ukraine’s Defense Forces near Kupiansk.
At least 200 Russian troops were trapped in Kupiansk, and Ukrainian defenders managed to clear the Yuvileinyi residential district of Russian soldiers. In the course of the counteroffensive operations, the Russian forces lost more than 1,000 soldiers killed alone.
As is known, the operation was planned and had been underway since autumn. According to the military, the active phase of hostilities is ongoing in Kupiansk, with encircled Russian units putting up "very fierce" resistance. However, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue the operation to destroy them.
