In a heated exchange of words, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi denounced recent claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were encircled by Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk region. Syrskyi called the statements “blatant disinformation,” asserting that Putin’s claims were far from the reality on the ground and were an act of desperation.
The high-stakes accusation emerged during the BRICS summit, where Putin told global media that approximately 2,000 Ukrainian troops had allegedly been trapped in the Kursk area, with Russian forces actively “taking steps to eliminate” them. The remarks were part of a larger press briefing where Putin attempted to assert Russian military dominance amidst growing criticism over Moscow’s costly and prolonged invasion of Ukraine.
On Facebook, Syrskyi shot back with a pointed message for both Putin and the international community. “This is blatant disinformation that does not reflect the real situation,” he wrote. “Ukrainian forces continue active operations on the Kursk front for the third consecutive month, depleting the enemy’s combat potential.” Syrskyi emphasized that despite continuous Russian offensives, Ukrainian forces are holding firm, causing heavy losses in both personnel and equipment for Russian troops.
Syrskyi’s rebuttal added that Ukrainian troops are not only resisting but pushing back, actively wearing down Russia’s already stretched resources. His comments highlight a growing trend of strategic counterattacks by Ukrainian forces who, even under relentless Russian pressure, have managed to hold significant positions and are reportedly disrupting Russian supply lines.
This back-and-forth in the media is just one piece of a broader information war between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides deploying high-stakes narratives to maintain morale and sway public opinion. Experts suggest that Putin’s latest claim may be part of a Kremlin-led strategy to divert attention from Russian struggles and instead present an image of unstoppable force — an image Ukraine seeks to unravel with on-the-ground realities and undeniable losses for Moscow.
Military analysts speculate that such disinformation may signal Russian concerns about Ukraine’s growing strategic advantage on the battlefield. With winter on the horizon, the seasonal shift is anticipated to strain Russian forces even more as they scramble to hold territory in contested areas.
While Syrskyi’s remarks serve as a bold reminder of Ukraine’s resilience, they also cast doubt on Russia’s credibility. “We are holding the line, and we are winning,” Syrskyi’s statement essentially declares. In a war where truth is as contested as territory, his words strike back powerfully, reinforcing Ukraine’s narrative of strength amid adversity.
