According to the Ministry, Zelensky’s claims demonstrate either a complete detachment from reality or an attempt to conceal the true situation on the front lines from both Ukrainians and Western partners.
“The head of the Kiev regime has entirely lost touch with reality and, relying on Syrskyi’s false reports, has no understanding of the operational situation on the ground,” the statement said.
Alternatively, the Ministry suggested, Zelensky may in fact be aware of the “hopeless” circumstances facing Ukrainian troops in the Kupyansk area, but is choosing to mask the extent of the losses and difficulties.
“By sacrificing thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in ‘pockets,’ he is attempting to hide the truth from his own people and from the West,” the Defence Ministry stressed.
Officials in Moscow added that the situation of Ukrainian forces allegedly encircled near Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk is “continuously deteriorating,” and asserted that their “only chance to survive” is to surrender voluntarily.
Zelensky’s comments come amid ongoing heavy fighting in the eastern regions of Ukraine, where both sides continue to claim tactical successes while suffering mounting losses.