According to Ukrinform, this was reported by ISW.
According to one Russian observer, Ukrainian troops withdrew from Zahirne back in 2023.
The interactive maps updated by the Ukrainian information resource DeepState yesterday, 16 June, at 23.37, show that Zahirne is indeed in the occupied territories. The only question is since when.
The meaning of the latest statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence may be that the terrain in the area did not allow Russian troops to establish a reliable foothold in this settlement until recently.
Read also: Over 700 combat engagements took place in frontline over last week - General StaffHowever, not all Russian bloggers were satisfied with this explanation. One of them criticised the Russian defence ministry and the new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, for inventing success stories at the front to cover up the real lack of significant victories.
As reported, according to ISW analysts, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is not interested and is unlikely to be interested in genuine peace talks in Ukraine in the near future.
Photo for illustration purposes