Biletsky denied that the Russians had captured Svyatogorsk
Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps, recorded a video message directly from Svyatogorsk. He stated that the city remains under the control of Ukrainian forces, thereby refuting claims by Russian officials that the town had allegedly been captured.
The commander of the Third Army Corps, Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, recorded a video from Svyatogorsk in the Donetsk region. The general addressed the Russian military and political leadership against the backdrop of the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra. His video was a response to statements by the Russian side regarding the alleged capture of Svyatogorsk.
Biletsky stated that Ukrainian forces are in full control of the city. “I want to address the Russian military and military-political leadership. Take off your clown noses and colorful wigs. Don’t make fools of yourselves,” the commander said.
According to him, Svyatogorsk is under the control of the 60th Mechanized Brigade of the Third Army Corps. “The 60th Mechanized Brigade of the Third Army Corps is in full control of the city. In fact, this is our rear area,” Biletsky emphasized.
In the video, the soldier is standing right in the center of Svyatogorsk. Behind him, the Svyatogorsk Lavra is visible. Biletsky also demonstrated that Ukrainian soldiers can be in the city and move freely through its streets. At the same time, he noted that due to the proximity of the front line, the danger should not be completely ignored. “It’s a nice place. It’s best to wear a bulletproof vest, but you can walk around here without any problems,” the commander said.
Thus, Biletsky’s video served as a public response to Russian reports about the situation in Svyatogorsk. The commander not only affirmed that Ukrainian forces were in control but also recorded a message directly from the city. Earlier, the Russian side had already circulated claims about the alleged capture of Sviatohirsk. Ukrainian authorities and the military denied this information.
Svyatogorsk is located near the front line, so the situation in the area remains tense. Russian troops continue to attack the Donetsk region, and settlements near the front line are regularly subjected to shelling. Despite this, Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions in the Svyatogorsk area. That is why claims of the city’s alleged capture need to be verified against information from the Ukrainian command and independent sources.
In this instance, Biletsky decided to show the situation on the ground. He recorded a video in the city center and stated that Svyatogorsk remains under the control of Ukrainian forces. At the same time, it is important to note that the military official’s statement represents the position of the Ukrainian command. The operational situation on the front lines can change, so final conclusions regarding the course of hostilities must be based on confirmed data.
Currently, the Ukrainian side asserts that Svyatogorsk is controlled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Andriy Biletsky’s video from the city center is intended to demonstrate the situation on this section of the front and refute Russian reports of its capture. Biletsky recorded the video message directly from the center of the Ukrainian city—with the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra in the background.
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