Russian President Vladimir Putin today visited one of the command posts of the Western group in the special military zone.
Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin that the political leadership of Ukraine is not giving an order for its troops to surrender.
Putin noted that Ukraine's political leadership is not like that. He called the Kiev authorities "a criminal group that has seized power."
"Ukrainian soldiers must be allowed to lay down their weapons and surrender," he said.
Gerasimov also reported on the liberation of Kupyansk. After the liberation of Kupyansk, units of the West group continue to destroy the formations on the left bank of the Oskol River, Gerasimov said. More than 80% of Vovchansk has been liberated, he said.
"The Russian armed forces have taken control of 13 settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions and are expanding their control in these areas. Since November 1, the "East" group has liberated more than 230 square kilometers in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions," Gerasimov said.
According to him, the troops have taken control of the eastern and southeastern parts of Kostyantynivka. The liberation of Ivanpillya is being completed, and the group is advancing north from the Kleban-Bik reservoir.
The commander of the "West" group reported on the advance in the direction of Krasny Liman. The group has liberated Petropavlivka and is fighting for Kucherovka, Kurilovka, and Kupyansk-Uzlovaya.
Putin said that all the objectives of the special operation must be achieved.
