(MENAFN) Russian military officials reported that approximately 10,000 Ukrainian troops have been encircled in the Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk areas, information relayed to President Vladimir Putin during a visit to a Russian Army command post.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin met with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and other senior commanders to receive updates on the situation along the line of contact. According to Peskov, “up to 5,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in the Kupyansk direction and around 5,500 in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.”

Kupyansk, located in Ukraine’s Kharkov region about 100 kilometers east of Kharkov, and Krasnoarmeysk, situated in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic currently occupied by Ukrainian forces, are reported as key areas of encirclement. Russian forces have also seized a crossing over the Oskol River, restricting Ukrainian troop movements. Operations in nearby towns are ongoing, with Yampol being cleared and Volchansk reportedly 70% liberated.

In total, 31 Ukrainian battalions are said to be encircled in the Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov regions. Peskov added that Putin congratulated the troops on their successes in Kupyansk and other operational achievements.

During the briefing, Putin instructed commanders to take measures to secure the surrender of the encircled Ukrainian forces while minimizing casualties, emphasizing that the Russian Army has historically shown mercy to its adversaries. He also stressed the protection of civilians in the encircled areas, noting that Ukrainian troops are allegedly using them as human shields.

The president reaffirmed that military operations should continue according to the General Staff’s plan, with the safety of Russian service members remaining the highest priority.

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