Ukraine’s military command is allegedly deceiving President Vladimir Zelenskiy about the true state of the front lines, according to Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Zelenskiy of being “divorced from reality” or deliberately concealing the truth from his people and Western allies, following claims by the Ukrainian leader that Russian forces near Kupyansk were being pushed back.
The ministry stated that Zelenskiy relies on false reports from Ukraine’s armed forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky, who allegedly fails to provide accurate information about the battlefield situation. It suggested Zelenskiy is either unaware of the dire circumstances or intentionally obscuring the reality for Ukrainian troops, whom it claimed are facing “ignoble deaths” due to poor leadership.
Moscow also alleged that Ukraine’s military is stalling to secure further Western aid, while its forces in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) face worsening conditions. The ministry criticized the lack of viable options for Ukrainian soldiers, who it claimed are forced into surrendering rather than risking their lives.
Zelenskiy previously asserted that Russian presence near Kupyansk was limited to 60 troops and that Ukraine had a strategic plan to “swipe” the area, though he did not disclose details. The Ukrainian government has denied reports of its forces being encircled in two regions, where over 10,000 soldiers were allegedly trapped. Last week, elite commandos deployed near Krasnoarmeysk reportedly suffered heavy losses in a failed effort to reinforce positions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously highlighted the dire conditions for Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk, urging Kiev to accept an “honorary surrender” for the blockaded forces.
