Russian media, citing a report to Putin by Valery Gerasimov, commander of the Russian occupation forces, claimed the “complete capture” of Kupiansk, Yampil, and parts of other Ukrainian cities. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine called these statements an information provocation and confirmed that Kupiansk is under the control of the Defense Forces.
According to reports, Gerasimov reported to Putin on the “liberation of Kupiansk,” as well as control of 80% of Volchansk, the capture of Yampil in the Donetsk region, and 13 settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The report also included claims about the “advancement” of Russian troops near Krasny Liman and in the Konstantinovka area.
These statements were made against the backdrop of the US “peace plan” being presented to Ukraine. Analysts believe that this public report, as well as Putin’s allegedly accidental remark that “all the goals of the special military operation will be achieved,” are a kind of pressure on the negotiation process.
In response, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated in its report that this information is not true. The agency emphasized that Kupiansk remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and counter-sabotage measures and the search for enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups continue in the city and its outskirts.
The General Staff also denied Russian claims about the capture of Yampil and 80% of Volchansk. According to their data, Ukrainian troops continue search and strike operations in the Yampil area. In Pokrovsk, search and assault operations and the elimination of enemy groups in urban areas continue, and additional logistics are being organized to support the units.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine recalled that Russian propaganda had already “taken journalists” to allegedly controlled locations in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk a month ago, but such statements are intended to conceal the critical losses of the Russian army. The General Staff emphasized that the only “achievements” of the Russian command are strikes on civilians, in particular on a residential building in Ternopil.
According to the General Staff, the defense forces continue to destroy the enemy across the entire front line, and Russian troop losses since the beginning of the year have exceeded 371,000 people.