"A special place in the history of Russian lies": Ukrainian forces debunk fake news about "Vovchansk encirclement"

The 16th Army Corps has refuted Russian Defence Ministry claims about the alleged capture of several settlements and the "closing of the Vovchansk pocket", stating that no positions in the corps' defence zone have been lost over the past six months.

Source: 16th Army Corps on Facebook

Details: The corps noted that Russia's Ministry of Defence and the Sever (North) military grouping claimed to have captured Vasylivka, Dovzhanka, Blahodatne and Slyzneve and to have "closed the Vovchansk pocket".

The corps attributes the spread of such claims to attempts by Russian propaganda to create the appearance of frontline successes ahead of elections to Russia's State Duma.

Quote: "However, over the past six months, no positions have been lost in the 16th Army Corps' defence zone. Ukraine's defence forces have not only stopped enemy attempts to advance but have also reinstated positions in the area of Milove and Odradne."

Details: The corps says the Russian military is using small infantry groups to try to penetrate deep into Ukrainian defensive positions. Such groups are detected and engaged with fire.

Over the past week, according to the 16th Army Corps, Russian forces have lost 154 soldiers killed and 124 wounded on this front. One multiple-launch rocket system, four artillery pieces, 17 pieces of specialised equipment and 43 motor vehicles were also destroyed.

Quote: "The claim about the 'Vovchansk pocket' will take a special place in the history of Russian lies alongside 'control over Kupiansk' and the 'liberation of Sviatohirsk'."

Background:

• On 1 September, Russian leader Vladimir Putin boasted that Russian forces had allegedly captured a further 14 Ukrainian settlements, including Kozacha Lopan and Sviatohirsk. His claims were repeated by Russia's Ministry of Defence.
• However, these settlements are not marked on the DeepState map as under Russian occupation.
• Ukrainian forces have debunked claims by Putin and Russia's Defence Ministry about the capture of Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv Oblast.

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