Budanov: Russian General Lied to Putin About Taking Dobropillia

The city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast is under Ukrainian control, and a Russian general has knowingly lied to Vladimir Putin about occupying it, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov said on Tuesday, 20 October, in a Telegram post.

Budanov named Colonel General Andrei Ivanaev, commander of Russia's Center group of forces. According to Budanov, Ivanaev deliberately misinforms the Russian president, intimidates his own subordinates and sets them unrealistic tasks to show the capture of Dobropillia at any cost, because he has already reported it as done.

"The objective fact is that Dobropillia is under Ukrainian control, so there is no question of its 'capture' by Russian troops," Budanov said.

He added that Ukraine's Defense Forces are holding their positions and that no false statements will change reality. Budanov also noted that difficult negotiations for a lasting peace are under way right now. In his words, that peace is needed not only by Ukraine, and at this complicated moment all sides must act prudently, assess the situation realistically and communicate truthful information.

Earlier denials

On 17 October, Ukraine's General Staff refuted claims by Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov that Russian forces had taken 92 settlements since early September, including Kostiantynivka and Dobropillia, and had come within 5 km of Zaporizhzhia.

The next day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Dobropillia remains under Ukrainian control and that Russian forces are about 20 km from Zaporizhzhia, not 5 km, as we reported. He added that since the start of autumn Ukraine's forces have liberated more territory than Russia has captured.