Joint Forces Task Force refutes Putin's claim that Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kupiansk

Ukraine's Joint Forces Task Force has stated that while heavy fighting continues in the city of Kupiansk, in Kharkiv Oblast, and its outskirts, reports of Ukrainian troops being encircled there are false.

Source: Joint Forces Task Force on Telegram

Quote: "Heavy fighting is ongoing in Kupiansk and its outskirts, and the enemy's fighters are trying to gain a foothold in the northern part of the city. However, any claims about the 'encirclement' of Ukrainian troops there are fiction and fantasy, not based on any factual data on the ground."

Details: The Joint Forces noted that by making false statements, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin "has once again made himself a laughing stock, repeating the lies of his own generals – lies that even his loyal audience and the Russian elite can no longer believe".

Earlier, Putin falsely claimed that Ukrainian troops in the cities of Kupiansk and Pokrovsk were blocked and encircled.

The Kremlin leader said: "Ukraine's political leadership must make a decision regarding the fate of its citizens who are encircled… just as they once did at Azovstal."

Background: On 16 October, General Staff spokesperson Major Dmytro Lykhovii told Ukrainska Pravda that Ukraine's defence forces are continuing counter-sabotage operations in Kupiansk and killing Russian infantrymen who attempt to break into the city.

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