Kathrine Frich
The battle over information has become as visible as the fighting itself.
Competing narratives about gains and losses on the front are once again shaping how the conflict is presented abroad.
Ukrainian military officials say recent statements from Moscow are part of a familiar pattern.
They argue the claims do not match realities on the ground.
Claims rejected
Russia has recently announced what it described as new battlefield successes, including the alleged capture of Mirnohrad in the Donetsk region and Khulaipol in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukraine’s General Staff has dismissed those statements as false, calling them part of a deliberate disinformation campaign timed to coincide with ongoing peace discussions, according to Dialog.ua.
Ukrainian officials stress that none of the announced takeovers reflect the actual situation.
Fighting continues
In Khulaipol, Ukrainian forces say the situation remains difficult but under control.
Defensive operations are ongoing, with units holding positions and conducting active actions against Russian infantry inside the city.
The General Staff said claims of full Russian control over Khulaipol are untrue.
Ukrainian forces report continued engagement with enemy units within city limits.
Pressure near Mirnohrad
A similarly tense situation persists in Mirnohrad, where Russian troops have failed to achieve their stated goal of capturing the broader Pokrovsk–Mirnohrad urban area.
Ukrainian defenders say they continue to block Russian advances and repel attacks.
Claims that Russian forces control half of Kostyantynivka were also denied, with Kyiv stating that defensive lines remain intact.
Recent clashes
According to the General Staff, a Russian armored column attempted to advance on December 26 but was stopped.
Ukrainian forces destroyed two tanks equipped with mine-clearing gear, while infantry units were eliminated using drones.
Officials say such incidents underscore the gap between Russian statements and battlefield realities.
Pattern of disinformation
Ukraine’s military leadership notes that similar claims have appeared repeatedly throughout the war.
They cited earlier Russian statements about the capture of Kupyansk, which Kyiv later said were false, noting that Ukrainian forces had cleared large parts of the city and liberated nearby settlements.
The situation around Pokrovsk follows the same pattern, officials added, with Russia claiming control since September despite ongoing Ukrainian resistance.
Targeting audiences
Ukrainian officials believe the primary aim of such claims is to influence foreign audiences and create an impression of momentum on the front.
They say the statements have no effect on Kyiv’s military posture or its diplomatic position.
Sources: Dialog.ua, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, LA.LV
