Another day, another claim of victory in the ongoing war for control and perception in Eastern Ukraine.
On July 31, a new video surfaced on Russian state channels showing national and military flags being raised in the battered city of Chasiv Yar—something the Kremlin is calling a major turning point.
The footage, shared by Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Telegram, shows Russian and Airborne Forces (VDV) flags being hoisted over parts of the city, marking what Moscow is celebrating as a “liberation.”
But as with many announcements from the frontlines of the Donbas, the story isn’t so simple.
Russia Declares Victory in Chasiv Yar
In an official statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its forces had fully taken control of Chasiv Yar earlier that morning.
The flags, they said, were raised in key areas—specifically the Shevchenko and Yuzhny districts—signifying their version of “liberation.”
“Russian and Airborne Forces flags were raised on the outskirts of the Shevchenko and Yuzhny neighborhoods as a sign of Chasiv Yar’s liberation,” the ministry wrote.
To bolster the declaration, Russia also released a detailed breakdown of what they claim was a devastating blow to Ukraine’s defenders.
Moscow Boasts of Crushing Ukrainian Units
According to the Russian side, the battle came at a heavy cost to Ukrainian forces.
They allege that dozens of Ukraine’s elite units were taken out during the fight, including stormtroopers, drone teams, and other high-value personnel involved in reconnaissance and battlefield coordination.
The message was clear: Moscow wanted this win to be seen not just as symbolic, but strategically significant.
Ukraine Fires Back and Calls It a Lie
But Ukraine isn’t buying it. Speaking to RBK-Ukraine, Viktor Trehubov—a spokesperson for the “Khortytsia” military group—flatly rejected Russia’s account.
According to him, nothing has changed on the ground, and the Russians are simply playing the same propaganda game they’ve been pushing for months.
“The situation in Chasiv Yar is the same as in recent months,” Trehubov said.
“The Russians are simply lying again, just to get attention—even if it’s only through denials.”
A Battlefield Where Truth Is Also a Weapon
The back-and-forth claims underscore the fog of war that continues to cloud Donbas.
In this conflict, physical ground isn’t the only thing being fought over—so is the truth.
As each side races to control the narrative, cities like Chasiv Yar become symbols in an information war as much as in a military one.
Whether Russia truly controls the city or not, the messaging around it shows that perception remains a powerful weapon—and both Ukraine and Russia know it.
