Russia claims control of cities in the East: rebuttal from Ukrainian Armed Forces major Andriy Tkachenko.

According to ТСН: Russian troops are spreading false information about allegedly complete control over strategically important cities in Eastern Ukraine. Political scientist and Ukrainian Armed Forces major Andriy Tkachenko refuted these claims of enemy propaganda, noting that the actual situation at the front significantly differs from official reports from Moscow.

Situation in Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk

The situation in this section of the front remains extremely tense. The enemy is trying to encircle Myrnohrad, launching attacks from several directions: from the north (the area of Krasnyi Lyman) and from the south (Hrodivka and Novohrodivka). The main goal of the aggressors is to disrupt logistics between the cities.

Despite the critical situation, the major affirmed that the city remains under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“The situation is very complicated and very tense, but Myrnohrad is still not under the control of Russian troops,”

— emphasized Tkachenko.

The defense of this area is carried out by the 7th Airborne Assault Corps. As for Pokrovsk, the city is effectively divided by a railway line: the southern part is controlled by the enemy, while the northern part remains under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces.

Logistical chains are functioning, and Ukrainian units are even conducting counteroffensive actions to hold back the enemy. The enemy's plans to capture the important hub in Hryshyne have not yet been realized.

Situation in Huliaipole

The situation in Huliaipole has also escalated. Tkachenko confirmed that the enemy continues to advance, and last week a command-observation post of one of the battalions was lost. However, he assured that the city is not fully occupied.

“The Russians do not control the entire settlement today. They have not captured it today. Fighting is ongoing in the city,”

— stated the military.

The expert also expressed concern about the organization of defense in this area. In his opinion, relying solely on the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade to defend such an important hub was a mistake by the command, as the capabilities of the territorial defense do not match the scale of the threat, considering the fall of Vuhledar.

Kremlin Disinformation Tactics

Tkachenko emphasized that Russian propaganda systematically manipulates facts. The main tactic of the enemy is to present any advance or entry into the 'gray zone' as complete capture of the city.

“Talking from their side that they control something is simply pure lies,”

— summarized the Ukrainian Armed Forces major.

The Russians conducted a similar information campaign regarding Kupiansk, trying to sow panic and despair. Therefore, Ukrainians are advised to rely only on verified data from the General Staff and analysts.

It is worth noting that military analyst Taras Chmut pointed out that Russia is deliberately increasing the number of 'hot spots' on the front to exhaust Ukraine's Defense Forces. According to him, due to a lack of strategic reserves, the Ukrainian army is forced to constantly react to the enemy's actions, complicating the situation and creating a risk of breaching the defense in certain areas.