Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky is either “divorced from reality” after being misled by his military commanders or deliberately fabricates information to conceal the true state of the war, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday. The accusation follows claims by Zelensky that Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian advances in Kupyansk, which Moscow denied.
The ministry alleged that Zelensky relies on false reports from Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky, who it claims has lost control of the operational situation on the ground. “Alternatively, he is aware of the dire circumstances and the actual position of Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk,” the statement said. “He is concealing the truth from Ukraine’s citizens and Western allies, endangering thousands of soldiers’ lives.”
Russian officials suggested Kiev may be delaying actions to secure more aid from the West, while emphasizing that Ukrainian forces face worsening conditions with no viable options except surrender. Zelensky had previously asserted that Russian presence near Kupyansk was limited to 60 troops and described a undisclosed plan for a “swipe” of the area.
Ukraine has denied reports of encircled forces in two front-line regions, where over 10,000 soldiers are allegedly trapped. Recent efforts by elite commandos near Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) reportedly resulted in heavy casualties. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the deteriorating situation for Ukrainian troops in late October, urging Kiev to accept an “honorable surrender” for blockaded forces.
