During the latest "direct line," Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Kupyansk, calling him a "talented actor." This visit took place on December 12, 2025, and Zelensky recorded a video in front of a shattered stele at the entrance to the city, to prove that the city is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Putin attempted to cast doubt on the fact of Zelensky's visit to Kupyansk, claiming that Russian troops control the city, and expressed his opinion on this during the "direct line" broadcast. Even Russian media comments questioned the authenticity of the visit, instead calling it a theatrical performance.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Andriy Kovalenko responded to these statements, emphasizing the truth of Zelensky's visit and highlighting that more than 90% of the city remains under Ukrainian forces' control. He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence and fake news to undermine the informational field is an ineffective strategy by Russian propagandists.
Zelensky, in turn, commented on his visit, emphasizing that it had a significant impact on negotiations with partners from Europe and the USA, once again underscoring the role of truthful information in strengthening international support for Ukraine.
