Overview

• At the Valdai forum, Putin said Moscow would deliver a swift, “very convincing” answer to European rearmament, framing it as a response rather than an initiation of conflict.
• Putin claimed Russian forces control nearly two thirds of Kupyansk, including the city center, with fighting ongoing in the south; these battlefield assertions have not been independently verified.
• He warned that Russia could respond in kind to attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and alleged Ukrainian sabotage teams repeatedly blew power lines serving the Kursk and Smolensk nuclear facilities.
• Arguing Ukraine faces a manpower shortfall, Putin said Russian losses are far lower and that additional drones or long‑range weapons for Kyiv would not alter the balance.
• Supporting narratives featured an Unherd commentary arguing new arms will not reverse Ukraine’s position, a retired US colonel predicting Western costs, a Russian diplomat citing limited US leverage, and a POW alleging Ukrainian command deception, none of which were independently corroborated.