Reference News Network, December 16 report, according to AFP, on December 16, Russia said it has taken control of the important city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine. Previously, Ukrainian forces claimed to have recaptured several areas of the city.
The head of the Western Military District's press center, Leonid Sharov, told TASS reporters: "The city of Kupiansk is currently under the control of the Russian Army's 6th Combined Arms Army."
The report stated that this week, both sides continued diplomatic negotiations in Berlin to resolve the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky praised the progress made in talks with U.S. negotiators on the 15th.
European leaders have proposed a plan to establish a multinational force to ensure peace.
Russia had claimed to have occupied Kupiansk in November, but the Ukrainian side later claimed to have recaptured several areas of the city.
Sharov said that small groups of Ukrainian soldiers are trying to enter Kupiansk every day. Kupiansk is a railway hub in the Kharkiv region.
But he insisted: "All areas are under the control of the Russian army." (Translated by Zhang Lin)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7584442536027079187/
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