The Russian Defense Ministry claimed a day earlier that its forces had captured Novokostiantynivka in the Sumy region, but Ukraine has rejected the claim, saying the settlement remains under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine’s Kursk Group of Forces said in an official Facebook statement that the Russian claim “does not correspond to reality.”
The group confirmed that, as of Tuesday, Aug. 25, Novokostiantynivka remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, while fighting with Russian troops continues in the area.
Ukrainian forces are carrying out combat missions along this section of the front, the statement said.
The Kursk Group of Forces also accused Russia of routinely claiming territorial gains that have not occurred on the ground, saying such announcements are increasingly being used for domestic propaganda and to report alleged battlefield successes to Russia’s leadership.
“The Russian command has long and regularly ascribed to itself results that are not on the ground,” the statement said.
The Ukrainian military urged civilians to rely on official reports from Ukraine’s General Staff for updates on the battlefield and disregard Russian propaganda.
“The situation in the sector is under control, the units are carrying out combat missions,” the statement said, adding that further information would be provided if the situation changes.
Previously, in early July, Ukraine denied Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that Russian forces captured Kostiantynivka in...
RCMP Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown brings you behind the scenes with a series of columns taking you behind police work and how it’s done in our community. If you have a question you think needs to be ...