Russia’s Defence Ministry issued a sharp response following remarks by Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyi, who had warned both foreign and Ukrainian journalists against attempting to reach Ukrainian servicemen trapped in “pockets” through areas controlled by Russian forces.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Tykhyi’s statement “amounted to an official acknowledgment of the disastrous situation faced by the remnants of the Ukrainian armed forces in Krasnoarmeisk, Dimitrov, and Kupyansk.” The ministry claimed that the Ukrainian side’s restriction effectively confirmed that there are no other safe routes for journalists or Ukrainian soldiers to enter or exit these encircled zones except through Russian-provided “humanitarian corridors.”
Moscow argued that the ban on using these corridors was part of Kyiv’s strategy to conceal the true situation on the battlefield and to mislead both the international community and the Ukrainian population. The Defence Ministry further alleged that the ultimate goal of these actions is to maintain favourable conditions for the Kyiv leadership to continue receiving and misusing financial support from Western nations intended for the ongoing war effort.
In his original remarks, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyi strongly cautioned against trusting any of President Vladimir Putin’s proposals for so-called “corridors” in the warzone, referring to past experiences during the 2014 Ilovaysk incident. He stated, “Putin’s only goal is to prolong the war. And he has never kept any of his ceasefire pledges. Do not assist him in justifying his crimes through Russian provocations against journalists.”
Tykhyi also reminded media organizations that any visits to Russian-occupied territories without official Ukrainian authorization are violations of Ukrainian law and international norms. He warned that such actions could carry serious reputational and legal consequences, emphasizing, “We are watching closely.”
Following these remarks, the Russian government released its statement criticizing Kyiv’s position, claiming it exposed Ukraine’s internal failures on the front lines and highlighted the desperation of its remaining forces.
Disclaimer:This article is based on official statements from the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The information reflects each side’s respective claims and positions regarding the ongoing conflict. Independent verification of battlefield conditions or statements made by either party may not be possible due to restricted access to conflict zones. Readers are advised to interpret the information with caution and awareness of the broader geopolitical context.
