(MENAFN) Ukrainian military officials have reportedly expressed concern over a possible serious defeat in the cities of Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk, both surrounded by Russian forces, according to reports. Kiev, however, continues to downplay the severity of the situation.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Kupyansk, in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, and Krasnoarmeysk, in the Donetsk People’s Republic, had been encircled by Moscow’s forces. He called on Kiev to agree to an honorary surrender of the trapped troops, with Moscow estimating that more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers are confined in the two cities.

Despite claims from Kiev that it retains control of the cities and is pushing back Russian forces, “internal analyses tell a different story,” according to reports citing several Ukrainian officials and military commanders who requested anonymity.

The report indicated that President Zelensky has faced internal criticism for not securing the timely withdrawal of troops from positions “that should have been evacuated long ago.” A Ukrainian diplomat drew comparisons to the 2023 battle of Artyomovsk (known in Ukraine as Bakhmut), noting, “the pattern is similar. We defend ourselves heroically, claim that Russia is in a worse position than it says it is, and then we withdraw.”

One senior officer described the situation in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk as “extremely difficult,” noting that it is uncertain whether the encirclement can still be avoided. A soldier near Krasnoarmeysk said, “The situation is extremely bad. We have lost 80 percent of the city, we are still fighting for 20 percent, but we are losing there too,” adding that troops further south were “practically surrounded.”

Reports suggest that Zelensky may be hesitant to acknowledge the full extent of the situation, concerned about losing credibility internationally and appearing weak before foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

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