Russian troops have encircled more than 10,000 Ukrainian troops in the Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk areas, according to the Russian military.

Around 10,500 Ukrainian forces are estimated to be surrounded by the Russian troops advancing to the Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk areas, President Vladimir Putin was told on Sunday during a visit to a Russian Army command post.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader met with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and senior military commanders, during which he was briefed on the situation along the line of contact.

Peskov said more than 10,000 Ukrainian forces were encircled by the Russian troops in two directions.

“It was noted that up to 5,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in the Kupyansk direction and around 5,500 in the Krasnoarmeysk direction,” he said.

Russian troops had also liberated a crossing over the Oskol River, cutting off the movement of Ukrainian forces and they are presently freeing all of Yampol, while nearby Volchansk is said to be 70 percent liberated so far.

Thirty-one Ukrainian battalions in total have been encircled in the Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov areas, according to the Russian military.

Peskov said the Russian leader had congratulated his troops for their victories against the Ukrainians in the war.

Putin issued orders to the commanders to ensure the surrender of the encircled Ukrainian forces and to minimize casualties.

Russian troops always show mercy towards their enemies, Putin said, insisting that this tradition must continue among Russian troops.

Putin clarified that the safety of Russian servicemen is the Kremlin’s top priority.

He also instructed the commanders to “do everything” in their power to ensure the safety of the civilian population in these areas.

Putin slammed the Ukrainian forces, whom he said were using the local population as human shields.

He encouraged the Russian troops to carry on with the military operations in eastern Ukraine “in accordance with the plan developed by the General Staff.”

US President Donald Trump has, meanwhile, expressed frustration with Putin, saying he felt “let down” by the Russian leader. Trump has also downplayed NATO’s role and accused Russia of prolonging the war.

Putin, on the other hand, blames the West for prolonging the war, adding to the casualties and damage, in its attempt to change the Russian borders.

The Kremlin accuses the US-led Western NATO countries of making a continuous effort to encroach on Russia’s western borders.