Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces have encircled a group of 2,000 Ukrainian troops in an area exceeding 400 square kilometers, calling it a significant success. He noted that blocking enemy forces on various front sections is not new, but the scale of this operation warrants special attention.

The claim was made via a Telegram post from the "SMOTRI" channel, which is known for its pro-Russian stance. The post included camera emojis, suggesting accompanying visual evidence, though none was provided in the text.