"This is a complete lie": Zelenskyi denied the encirclement of the Armed Forces near Kupyansk and Pokrovsk

As Zelenskyi told on October 26 in a telephone conversation with TV presenter Alla Mazur exclusively for TSN, such reports are not true. "This is a complete lie. And not the first," the president emphasized. According to him, Ukrainian troops fully control the situation at the front. He emphasized that he has the latest information from the General Staff and General Oleksandr Syrskyi. Enemy activity near Kupyansk and Pokrovsk this week was one and a half to two times lower than in previous periods.

The president noted that the report about the encirclement of Ukrainian troops is a classic example of the Kremlin's disinformation maneuvers, the purpose of which is to make internal and external audiences doubt Ukraine's ability to control the situation. He emphasized that such fakes do not affect the Ukrainian soldiers and commanders who carry out tasks at the front effectively.

In addition to the situation at the front, Zelenskyi commented on the position of US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine. According to the president, Trump agreed with Kyiv's arguments that Donbas will not be surrendered, and now the American administration will focus on putting pressure on Putin, not on Kyiv. "Trump really agreed that the Ukrainian compromise is a ceasefire along the front line," Zelenskyy replied.

TV presenter Alla Mazur reported that Trump confirmed that he does not plan to meet with Putin until there is a real prospect of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelensky noted that the compromise that the US is talking about means a ceasefire on the front line, and destructive statements from Moscow, strikes on civilian objects, including a kindergarten, and Putin's failure to fulfill his own threats regarding the seizure of Donbas became, in his opinion, the trigger for America's sanctions pressure, which is now supplemented by EU sanctions.

The President also talked about the situation with domestic weapons, in particular with the production of Flamingo missiles, which has slowed down due to technological problems and delays in funding from partners. Zelensky assured that these issues are already being resolved, and the state order will be fulfilled by the end of the year. Ukraine has found its own resources to finance production and will receive a certain number of missiles, the exact number of which has not been disclosed.

He noted that the already used missiles showed high efficiency and worked properly. In addition, Zelensky touched on the prospects of purchasing Swedish Gripen aircraft for the modernization of Ukraine's aircraft fleet. He noted that this platform was previously unavailable to Ukrainian pilots, and preparations are already being made to pay and send pilots for training in early 2026.

The president emphasized that the Gripen can hang most of the available weapons, and plans for the new F-16 and Rafale are also being discussed. According to him, the new aircraft will significantly increase the operational capabilities of the Ukrainian aviation and quickly prepare pilots for modern combat conditions. We will remind that the Armed Forces liberated three villages in Donetsk region, among them: Sukhetske, Kucheriv Yar and Zatyshok.