Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sent a video message on December 12 near the stele located close to the city of Kupyansk in Kharkiv region. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This message attracted attention against the background of reports by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the “capture” of Kupyansk. The Ukrainian armed forces announced that a successful counteroffensive had been carried out in this area and that Russian troops had been encircled.
In his address, Zelenskiy rejected the statements made by Russia regarding Kupyansk. He said: “Today, our fighters are achieving significant successes on the Kupyansk front.
The Russians talked a lot about this, but we see it with our own eyes. I congratulated the guys.” Explosions were heard during the message.
Ukraine’s “Charter” corps was formed in September after the situation in this area became complicated. The group includes several brigades and military units, with the main task of destroying Russian troops and cutting off their supply.
On December 12, the “Charter” corps reported that it had succeeded in encircling Russian forces in Kupyansk. According to their information, enemy forces on the right bank of the Oskol River have been cut off from supplies.
According to the commander of the “Charter” corps, Igor Obolensky, Russian troops in the city have been cut off from their main forces and are currently completely encircled. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have liberated the northern villages of Kondrashovka and Radkovka, as well as other areas from Kupyansk.
The number of Russian soldiers remaining in the city is said to be no more than 200, but about 500 civilians are reportedly being used as “human shields,” complicating the situation. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the capture of several settlements near Kupyansk but did not comment on the successes of the Ukrainian armed forces.
At the same time, the statements previously announced by Russia about the “capture” of Kupyansk have been met with skepticism not only by Ukrainians but also by some sources in Russia.
