Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson Andriy Kovalov dismissed Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov's claims of advances toward Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia and the capture of several settlements as lies and manipulation, Interfax-Ukraine reported on Oct. 17.
"With no significant successes on the battlefield, the Russian military leadership continues to create an illusion of major victories for its political leadership and domestic audience," Kovalyov said.
He rejected claims that Russian forces had captured more than 1,800 square kilometers of territory since September 2026. In reality, Ukrainian forces have liberated more territory since the beginning of the fall than Russian troops have seized, Kovalyov said.
He also dismissed Russian claims of capturing the cities of Dobropillia and Kostiantynivka, the village of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka and advancing to the outskirts of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast. As of the morning of Oct. 17, Dobropillia remained under Ukrainian control, while fighting continued in Kostiantynivka, the General Staff representative said.
Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka also remained under Ukrainian control, and claims that Russian forces had reached Kramatorsk did not reflect the actual situation on the battlefield.
Kovalyov also confirmed that Gerasimov's claim that Russian troops were within 5 kilometers of Zaporizhzhia was false.
"The front line in that area has remained about 22 kilometers from the regional capital for a considerable time," the Ukrainian...
Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson Andriy Kovalov dismissed Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov's claims of advances toward Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia and the capture of several settlements...