Encircled Russian Troops At Kupiansk Resupplied...With Flags

The idea was apparently to create the impression that the surrounded Russians were in command...not encircled as is the case. 

The flags can't be eaten but they could be used to catch rainwater, before the troops are eventually forced to surrender. JL

Francis Farrell reports in the Kyiv Independent:

Encircled Russian troops in Kupiansk getting limited drone drops included flags, not food "so they could wave them and pretend everything was under control." "As of late last week, our intelligence assessed about 40 active call signs on Russian radio channels in Kupiansk. Typically, that means one radio for three to four soldiers. So we estimate around 120 Russian troops remain encircled." 

Encircled Russian troops in Kupiansk are still getting limited drone drops — and a Ukrainian official says some included flags, not food.

Approximately 120 Russian troops remain encircled in Kupiansk as of mid-December, Viktor Tregubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces, told the Kyiv Independent on Dec.15.

"As of late last week, our intelligence assessed about 40 active call signs on Russian radio channels in Kupiansk. Typically, that means one radio for three to four soldiers. So we estimate around 120 Russian troops remain encircled," he said.

Tregubov confirmed that the encircled Russian troops are still receiving limited supplies via "air bridge."

"Yes, that’s confirmed. In fact, there were ironic cases where they were being sent not food, but flags, so they could wave them and pretend everything was under control," he said.

"Drones are dropping small payloads — food, water, or symbolic items — but you can't air-drop a new soldier."

On Dec. 12, Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted a successful operation in the Kupiansk direction, aimed at stabilizing the front following Russia’s renewed offensive efforts in the area in recent months.