Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Krynky, a village on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, was “completely” under Russian control at the moment.
Shoigu called Krynky “a stronghold” for his troops “for further advancement and deployment of forces.”
Ukraine’s Operational Command denied Shoigu’s claim, describing it as “a manipulation and falsification of facts.”
“The defense forces of southern Ukraine continue to hold their positions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy,” the command said.
Video shared by pro-Ukrainian bloggers shows Russian soldiers hoisting a flag in the area, but then fleeing, which seemingly contradicts Shoigu’s claim.
CNN was not able to geolocate the footage and independently verify the battlefield status.
Months ago, Russian officials expressed concern about Ukraine establishing a foothold in Krynky.
Elsewhere on the battlefield: In eastern Ukraine, footage geolocated by CNN Wednesday, showed Russian forces hoisting their flag over the Donetsk village of Pobieda, near Mariinka. Russian military bloggers said Ukrainian forces had “retreated” and were regrouping in positions to the south.
In southern Ukraine along the Zaporizhzhia front, Moscow has for weeks been pushing east and north toward Robotyne, as well as west, toward Mala Tokmachka.
Russia said Wednesday it inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian forces in the area, but refrained from saying it had made visible gains. Ukraine also claimed it inflicted heavy losses on Russian units.
CNN could not independently verify either Ukrainian or Russian claims.
