Putin Claims Encirclement of Ukrainian Cities Pokrovsk and Kupiansk Amid Fierce Fighting

Putin's Encirclement Claim and Offer for Negotiations

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces have successfully surrounded Ukrainian troops in the eastern cities of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast. Speaking during a visit to a military hospital in Moscow, Putin stated that the 'overall situation' in the combat zone was developing 'favorably' for Russia.

The Russian President further offered a temporary ceasefire in these areas to allow Ukrainian and foreign journalists to enter and 'confirm for themselves the state that these surrounded forces are in.' He suggested that a media visit would enable reporters to see 'the condition the encircled Ukrainian troops are there so that Ukraine's political leadership could make the relevant decisions regarding the fate of their citizens.'

Ukraine's Resolute Denial and Battlefield Assessment

Ukrainian military officials 'vigorously denied' Putin's claims of encirclement. The Ukrainian armed forces dismissed the assertions regarding Kupiansk as 'fabrications and fantasies.' Regarding Pokrovsk, Hryhorii Shapoval, spokesman for Ukraine's eastern forces, stated that the situation was 'hard but under control.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly addressed Putin's statements, calling them 'complete lies' intended to create panic and influence the United States. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainian troops maintain control of the situation and noted that enemy activity near both cities had been lower than in previous periods. Lt. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, also refuted the encirclement claims for both Pokrovsk and Kupiansk.

Situation on the Ground in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk

Despite Ukraine's denials of full encirclement, reports indicate intense fighting and a deteriorating situation in some areas. In Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian stronghold and logistical hub in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian military sources reported that Russia has deployed approximately 11,000 troops in an attempt to encircle the agglomeration. Some Russian units have reportedly managed to infiltrate the city, leading to house-to-house battles.

The Ukrainian open-source analyst project DeepState described the situation in Pokrovsk as 'on the verge of critical' and 'deteriorating.' However, independent analysis, including from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on October 28, indicated that while Russian forces had advanced in the area, they 'almost certainly do not currently control any positions within the city of Pokrovsk itself,' and a corridor of about three kilometers reportedly remains open.

In Kupiansk, an important rail junction in the Kharkiv region, President Zelenskyy acknowledged that the situation 'remains difficult' but asserted that Ukrainian forces 'have more control in recent days.' Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that the situation in Kupiansk has stabilized. The city has suffered extensive damage, with Russian troops reportedly holding some positions on the west bank of the Oskil River.

Broader Context of the Conflict

These claims and counter-claims emerge as the conflict approaches its fourth year, with Russian forces consistently pushing their advantage along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. Russian forces have made slow but steady gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and around Pokrovsk. Putin's statements are also viewed by some analysts as a strategic move to influence the United States regarding its continued support for Ukraine.