Russian President Vladimir Putin dismisses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent video address from the entrance of Kupyansk as a theatrical “performance,” labeling his counterpart a “talented artist” rather than a military leader. The controversy centers on a video released by Zelensky on December 12 to demonstrate his presence near the frontline city, which Moscow claims its forces have already captured. While Russian state media alleges the footage is staged or “fake,” independent fact-checkers confirm the location but cannot verify the filming date. The incident underscores the intense information warfare parallel to the physical conflict, with Russia’s Foreign Ministry accusing Kyiv of projecting “wishful thinking” to deny Russian territorial gains in the strategic Kharkiv region.