10,000 Ukrainian Personnel Encircled as Russians Advance Into Krasnoarmeysk and Kupiansk Cities

Ukrainian commanders have raised concerns that the country’s forces could be routed from the cities of Kupiansk and Krasnoarmeysk, both of which have been encircled by Russian forces, according to reports from the German media outlet Bild. Located in located in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, and in the disputed Donetsk region respectively, both cities have been at the centre of recent hostilities as Russian Army units have continued to advance. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the encirclement of the two cities in late October, and while Ukrainian government sources have denied this, Bild’s report asserted that “internal analyses tell a different story” which strongly aligns with reports from Moscow. 

The report by Bild claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has personally been facing criticism for failing to ensure the withdrawal of personnel from forward positions that “should have been evacuated long ago,” which was a significant factor contributing to the mass encirclement of a estimated 10,000 personnel. A Ukrainian diplomat speaking to the German outlet drew parallels to the 2023 battle of 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 informed the outlet that the situation in Kupiansk and Krasnoarmeysk had become “extremely difficult,” while a soldier stationed near Krasnoarmeysk reporting: “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.” Although significant uncertainties remain regarding the reality of the situation on the ground, Russian advances gained significant momentum since the successful repelling of a Ukrainian assault on Kursk in April, which allowed more units to be reallocated to supporting frontline advances.