Putin: Ukrainian Troops Encircled in Kupyansk and Pokrovsk

While visiting participants of the special military operation (SMO) in a military hospital, Russian President Putin made a series of statements of strategic importance, addressing the situation on the front line, the encircled Ukrainian troops, and Russia's newest weaponry.

The most noteworthy statement of the meeting concerned key directions on the front. According to Putin, Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) are blocked and find themselves in an encirclement. "The enemy is blocked in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk and is in an encirclement," Putin stated, calling on the political leadership of Ukraine to make decisions regarding the fate of its citizens trapped in the encirclement.

In parallel with this announcement, Putin made an unexpected proposal, noting that the Russian side is not against allowing representatives of the media, including Ukrainian and foreign, into the encirclement zones. Moreover, he emphasized that the Russian side is ready to cease combat operations for the period when journalists are in that zone. At the same time, he expressed concern that there should be no provocations from the Ukrainian side during the media's presence.

The Russian President noted that the situation is favorable for Russia. He stressed that Russian troops are advancing in all sectors and are conducting active operations, ensuring the country's security in the long term.

Putin also revealed details from the field of strategic weaponry. He announced that Russia had recently successfully tested the "Poseidon" underwater vehicle, which is equipped with a nuclear power plant. He described these tests as a "huge success." "The power of 'Poseidon' significantly exceeds that of the 'Sarmat' missile, which will soon go on combat duty. In its speed and depths, 'Poseidon' has no analogues in the world, and its interception is impossible," he detailed.

Speaking about the "Burevestnik" cruise missile with a nuclear engine, Putin called it a breakthrough not only in defense but also in science. He detailed that the "Burevestnik's" nuclear power plant, having a power comparable to the reactor of a nuclear submarine, is 1000 times smaller in volume. According to him, these technologies will also be applied in Russia's lunar program and in the national economy.

The visit to the hospital also had a symbolic nature. Putin came to the servicemen with the icons they had given him for his birthday, showing that the icons had traces of shrapnel and bullets. "The icons saved our boys' lives," he noted.