Putin says Russia has taken control of 2 Ukrainian cities. Ukraine denies claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made bold claims about Russian forces taking control of the Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Vovchansk, despite lacking evidence to support his statements. These cities have been embroiled in intense fighting for weeks, particularly in the eastern part of Ukraine.

Putin’s assertions came just before his meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow to discuss a potential peace deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. It appears that Putin’s aim was to influence the meeting by sending a message that Russia is making progress and may not feel compelled to compromise.

However, Ukraine’s military has refuted Putin’s claims, with soldiers on the frontline asserting that they are false. The Ukrainian 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces stated on Facebook that they are successfully holding back Russia’s advances in Pokrovsk.

Pokrovsk is a critical defensive stronghold for Ukraine, and Russia has been attempting to seize it for over a year and a half. While Russia has come close to capturing the city in recent months, Ukrainian troops continue to hold key areas, preventing its complete fall.

Similarly, Vovchansk, located near the border with Russia in the Kharkiv region, has also been a battleground between the two nations. The Ukrainian Armed Forces maintain positions in the southern part of Vovchansk, although the city itself has been significantly impacted by the conflict.

Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Joint Forces Viktor Tregubov confirmed that Vovchansk has not been taken by Russia, although much of the city lies in ruins. The Russians have made incursions into the area, but Ukrainian forces are still present in parts of the city.

In addition to Pokrovsk and Vovchansk, Putin has also claimed the capture of Kupiansk, another contested city. However, Ukraine asserts that they are close to pushing Russian forces out of Kupiansk, contradicting Putin’s narrative.

The Russian Ministry of Defense shared a video showing a soldier raising a Russian flag in Pokrovsk on their Telegram channel. While Russia has made similar claims in the past, the city remains a hotly contested area with both sides vying for control.

Overall, the situation in Pokrovsk, Vovchansk, and other Ukrainian cities continues to be volatile, with conflicting reports from both sides. The ongoing conflict underscores the challenges of achieving a lasting peace agreement in the region.