Biletskyi films video in Sviatohirsk to refute Putin’s capture claim
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Biletskyi recorded a video message from the center of Sviatohirsk (Photo: Video screenshot / Third Army Corps)
Third Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi rejected Vladimir Putin’s claim that Russian forces had captured Sviatohirsk in Donetsk Oblast, recording a video from the city center to disprove the claim on Sept. 7.
"I want to address Russia's military and military-political leadership. Take off your clown noses and colorful wigs. Don't make fools of yourselves. The 60th Mechanized Brigade of the 3rd Army Corps has full control of the city. In fact, this is our rear area," the general said.
On Sept. 1, Putin claimed that Russia's Northern Group of Forces had captured Sviatohirsk, north of Sloviansk. The claim is far removed from the reality on the ground and is not supported by any evidence, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, or ISW, said. In late spring and early summer 2026, Russian forces advanced to within about 13 kilometers of Sviatohirsk at their closest point. They are now likely even farther from the city amid ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive operations near Lyman, the full extent of which remains unclear.
On Aug. 6, the Donetsk Regional Military Administration said Sviatohirsk remained under Ukrainian control.
"The situation in the city is very difficult: The front line is nearby, and the Russians are relentlessly shelling Sviatohirsk, posing a constant threat to people and infrastructure. Despite this, the city is holding on, and local authorities continue to work and maintain essential services to the extent permitted by the security situation," the administration said.
The administration said Volodymyr Rybalkin, head of the Sviatohirsk City Military Administration, remained in the city and was reporting on the situation.
On Aug. 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian defense positions in the Donetsk region would be reinforced by two reorganized groups commanded by Heroes of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko and Andrii Biletskyi.
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