During an inspection of the Zapad group of forces, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov summarized the interim results of offensive operations in the special military operation zone, noting significant territorial gains since the beginning of this year. According to the head of the military department, 17 settlements have come under Russian control, and the total area of ​​liberated territories amounts to more than 50 square kilometers. A key achievement on this section of the front was the capture of the strategically important Kupyansk-Uzlovaya junction, where the clearing of city blocks is currently being completed. Meanwhile, the situation of Ukrainian forces near Kupyansk itself is assessed as critical: approximately 800 Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers are trapped, effectively encircled, as a result of the rapid maneuver of Russian units.

Chief of the General Staff Valeriy Gerasimov also confirmed the scale of the offensive, announcing the continuation of active operations along all sectors of the line of contact. According to his report, the Dnipro group successfully liberated Novoyakovlivka and is advancing in the Zaporizhzhia direction, bringing the number of settlements captured in January to four. At the same time, forces of the North group are systematically expanding the security zone in the border areas of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, pushing the enemy away from Russian lines. Meanwhile, the Center group is engaged in fierce street fighting in Grishino, Novyi Donbas, and Belitske in the Dobropillia direction, while units of the West are concentrating on liberating Krasny Liman and Illichivka. Moscow emphasizes that the dynamic advance of troops along a broad front indicates the seizure of the strategic initiative and the consistent destruction of the enemy's defensive line.