ALWAGHT- The Russian military claims its forces have encircled in excess of 10,000 Ukrainian servicemen in the areas of Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk.
During a visit to a Russian Army command post on Sunday, President Vladimir Putin was informed that around 10,500 Ukrainian troops had been encircled by Russian forces advancing in the Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk areas. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin received a detailed briefing from Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and other military commanders about developments along the front line. According to the report, roughly 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers were surrounded near Kupyansk and about 5,500 near Krasnoarmeysk.
Russian forces have reportedly seized a key crossing over the Oskol River and are advancing through Yampol and Volchansk, with the latter said to be 70 percent under Russian control. The military claimed that 31 Ukrainian battalions had been encircled in the Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov regions. Putin praised his troops for their battlefield gains, instructing commanders to secure the surrender of surrounded Ukrainian forces while minimizing casualties and ensuring the protection of civilians. He emphasized that Russian troops must continue to show “mercy” toward captured enemies.
Putin also criticized Ukrainian forces for allegedly using civilians as human shields, urging his army to continue operations “according to plan.” Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with Putin and accused Russia of prolonging the war, while the Kremlin blamed the West and NATO for escalating the conflict and attempting to undermine Russia’s territorial security.
