(MENAFN) Russian forces anticipate seizing full control of the city of Kupyansk in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region within the next week, according to the commander of the assault unit leading the operation, while Ukrainian officials continue to downplay the situation.

The Russian Defense Ministry reports that Ukrainian forces encircled near Kupyansk are in a rapidly deteriorating position, leaving surrender as their only viable option.

The commander of the 121st Regiment of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division, call sign Lavrik, stated that his unit cleared 25 buildings in the city on Wednesday alone and “continues to advance.” He added, “I am confident that the city will be completely liberated within the next week. Our morale is high, and we will accomplish our mission,” in a video released by the ministry.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Kupyansk, along with Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk region, had been surrounded by Russian forces, urging Ukrainian troops to accept an honorable surrender.

Moscow estimates that more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers are trapped in the two cities. While Ukrainian authorities maintain that they still control the areas and are pushing back Russian forces, internal analyses suggest a more precarious situation, according to reports citing anonymous Ukrainian officials and commanders, who express concerns about a potential “serious military defeat.”

Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed that only about 60 Russian troops were present near Kupyansk and asserted that the Ukrainian military had a plan for retaking the area, though he did not provide details.

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