Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin allegedly visited one of the Russian command posts on 1 December and announced plans to create a "security zone" along the border with Ukraine

Source : Putin's statements during what was said to be a visit to a command post of Russia's Joint Group of Forces, as reported by Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS; Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council

Details : Putin was also briefed on the alleged "liberation of Krasnoarmiisk [former name of Pokrovsk] and Vovchansk" and the beginning of an "operation to liberate Huliaipole".

He also spoke about the "task of creating a security zone along the border with Ukraine in the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces".

There were also claims about the "successful" continuation of the offensive in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

At the end, Putin cynically described the situation on the battlefield as a "tragedy for the Ukrainian people".

Meanwhile, Kovalenko said that in the coming weeks the Russians will make many attempts to increase pressure along the line of contact and will accompany this with loud statements.

"All of this is done solely for a Western audience and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," he added.

He also rejected claims that the Russians had captured Vovchansk.

Quote from Kovalenko : "As of now, part of Vovchansk is under the control of Ukraine's defence forces. Also, the enemy has not taken Kupiansk, despite lying about it.

Heavy fighting continues on the battlefield, and the enemy is deploying significant forces."

Background:

• Previously, Putin claimed that Russian forces had fully captured Kupiansk and warned Ukraine that a similar situation could allegedly be repeated. Ukraine's General Staff has dismissed these statements.
• According to CNN, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has travelled to Moscow for a meeting with Putin.

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