On Christmas Day, Vladimir Putin faced a significant blow as Ukrainian forces regained complete control of the city of Kupyansk.

This development follows a striking Christmas message from Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, who expressed his hope for the demise of the Russian leader.

In recent weeks, Putin has been proudly asserting that his military had captured this strategic city located in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. However, the reality on the ground has shifted dramatically.

Even pro-Kremlin sources have conceded that Russian forces have suffered a severe setback and were compelled to retreat, describing the situation as “worse than critical.”

Ukraine consistently disputed Russia’s claims of full control over Kupyansk. Just two weeks ago, President Zelensky himself visited a part of the city, publicly challenging Putin’s assertions.

While control of Kupyansk was previously contested between the two nations, recent reports confirm that it is now entirely under Ukrainian authority.

The Kremlin ruler had even awarded General Sergei Kuzovlev, 58, the top Hero of Russia honour for securing Kupyansk – even though the victory is now seen as hollow.

There are now calls to strip him of his award amid fears Putin is being fed inaccurate claims of victories by his top commanders.

Putin has suffered a humiliating Christmas Day defeat as Ukrainian forces took back control of Kupyansk, a territory he claimed to have taken last month 

An aerial view of Kupyansk. Ukraine had always denied claims that Russia had taken control of the city

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky filmed himself taking a picture in the city, despite the Russian claims

‘The settlement came under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,’ said war commentator Vladimir Romanov.

One loyal source called the loss a ‘****-up’ by Putin’s forces. ‘The situation is worse than critical,’ said another.

They have hit out at ‘false reports’ of victories to Putin, who boasted about the military successes in a bid to impress Donald Trump that he had the battlefield initiative.

Russian commanders believed their own propaganda and withdrew the troops needed to hold small amounts of territory they had gained.

‘The poorly organised psychological operation in Kupyansk failed,’ declared Two Majors channel.

‘Much worse is that, according to our comrades, reserves were withdrawn from the direction, and our forces were not able to properly consolidate even [our gains].

‘That is, with the information-psychological operation about Kupyansk, we defeated ourselves, not the enemy.’

Putin boasted: ‘Kupyansk came under our control several weeks ago.’ His war fanatics are stung over the defeat.

‘I don’t know what’s going on in Kupyansk and I’m waiting for the Russian Defence Ministry to explain the situation in a way that’s understandable to ordinary people,’ demanded Yulia Vityazeva.

Putin’s humiliating loss comes just hours after Zelensky said in a video message that he hopes the Russian president dies. 

Russian General Sergei Kuzovlev seen receiving the title of Hero of Russia from Putin after he claimed he had taken the city. There are now calls for him to be stripped off the honoour

In a Christmas address, Volodymyr Zelensky said he wished Putin dies

In a pre-recorded clip, filmed in front of a festive backdrop, he said: ‘Today we all share one dream. And we make one wish together. “May he [Putin] perish”. Each of us may think privately, but when we turn to God, of course, we ask for more. 

‘We ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it. And we pray for it.’

US and Ukrainian officials have been locked in marathon discussions in Florida this week in an effort to end the war, which is now entering its fourth year. 

Yesterday, it was revealed that Zelensky had offered to create a demilitarised zone in eastern Ukraine. 

He said: ‘We are in a situation where the Russians want us to leave the Donetsk region, and the Americans are trying to find a way so that it is ‘not a way out’ – because we are against leaving – they want to find a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone in this, that is, a format that can provide for the views of both sides.’

The talks have mostly centred around the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

While Putin’s forces currently control most of Luhansk, and around 70 per cent of Donetsk, he has demanded that Ukraine give up the remaining territory that has not been captured, a position Kyiv has rejected. 

Despite the ongoing peace talks, Putin has intensified his attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, killing several civilians and injuring many others. 

Despite the ongoing talks to find a solution to end the war in Ukraine, Putin has intensified his attacks in recent weeks 

He has also targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving many citizens across the country without power and in freezing conditions. 

Meanwhile, on Monday, a top Russian general was killed after a bomb under his car detonated. 

He played a crucial role in training troops fighting in Ukraine. Russian officials said they were investigating whether Ukraine had a role in the assassination.

Yesterday, a car bomb exploded in Moscow, near the site where the general was killed. Two police officers and a third person who was standing nearby died in those attacks.