A stark claim emerged from Moscow today as President Putin asserted that Russian forces have completely encircled Ukrainian troops in the strategically vital cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, offering a path to surrender. The declaration, delivered during a visit to wounded soldiers, immediately met with forceful denial from Ukrainian military officials.
Putin proposed opening “safe corridors” for journalists – both Ukrainian and Western – to witness the situation firsthand, aiming to demonstrate what he portrays as the inevitable outcome of Russia’s military pressure. He specifically highlighted Pokrovsk, a crucial stronghold in the Donetsk region, and Kupiansk, a key rail hub in Kharkiv, as points of complete encirclement.
Ukrainian authorities vehemently refuted these assertions. Officials labeled the claim of Kupiansk’s encirclement as “fabrications and fantasies,” while acknowledging a “hard but controlled” situation in Pokrovsk. Reports indicate fierce fighting is ongoing, with Russian forces attempting to infiltrate the city itself.
The Ukrainian Army’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps defending Pokrovsk reported facing approximately 11,000 Russian troops attempting to close the noose around the city. While acknowledging some Russian units had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defenses, they maintain control of the broader area.
This isn’t the first instance of Russia claiming the capture of Ukrainian strongholds, only for those claims to prove inaccurate. Independent verification of the current situation remains impossible, adding to the fog of war and raising questions about the true extent of Russian control.
Putin’s pronouncements coincide with a broader diplomatic effort to convince the United States that continued support for Ukraine is futile, given Russia’s perceived military superiority. He has simultaneously emphasized Russia’s advancements in nuclear capabilities, signaling a firm stance on his war objectives.
The offer of surrender for troops in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk is framed as a humanitarian gesture, with Putin suggesting a media presence would allow Ukraine’s leadership to assess the fate of its soldiers. This move appears designed to exert psychological pressure on Kyiv.
On the ground, reports detail brutal house-to-house combat in both cities, with artillery and drone strikes targeting supply routes. Ukrainian forces are increasingly reliant on drones for logistical support, highlighting the evolving nature of the conflict.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War acknowledge Russian advances near Pokrovsk, but stress they do not currently control positions *within* the city itself. They believe an immediate collapse of Ukrainian defenses is unlikely, despite the intense pressure.
Pokrovsk, once home to 60,000 people, now lies largely in ruins after months of relentless Russian attacks. Ukraine had already ceased using the city as a major logistical hub, anticipating increased pressure. The city’s devastation underscores the brutal cost of the war.
While Russia intensifies its ground offensive, Ukraine continues its long-range drone and missile strikes targeting Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries and manufacturing plants, aiming to disrupt logistical networks.
Overnight, Russian air defenses reportedly downed 100 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, briefly halting flights at thirteen airports, including those near Moscow. Simultaneously, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine’s power grid and civilian infrastructure, resulting in injuries to at least thirteen people, including a child.
Ukraine’s air force reported facing 126 strike and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, illustrating the escalating intensity of aerial warfare and the constant threat facing Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
