Third Corps Denies Russian Claims of Breakthrough in Lyman

Russian Claims of Lyman Breakthrough Debunked by Ukrainian Military

Ukrainian military officials have firmly rejected Russian claims about a breakthrough in the city of Lyman in Donetsk region, describing them as fabricated propaganda from Moscow’s military leadership.

The Third Army Corps of Ukraine issued a statement via Telegram categorically denying reports that Russian forces had made significant advances in the strategically important eastern city, which has been a focal point of fighting in recent weeks.

According to Ukrainian officials, Russian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov had falsely reported to President Vladimir Putin about supposed Russian successes in the Donetsk region, specifically in areas where Ukraine’s 63rd and 60th Mechanized Brigades are maintaining defensive positions.

“The corps’ units repel about 40 enemy assaults per day on the approaches to Lyman and do not allow the enemy to enter the city,” said Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces remain firmly in control of the area despite intense Russian pressure.

Ukrainian military sources revealed that over the past month, Russian forces have repeatedly attempted to infiltrate Lyman’s outskirts with small tactical groups. However, each of these attempts has been successfully thwarted, with the Russian soldiers either eliminated or captured.

In one notable incident highlighted by Ukrainian forces, a captured Russian soldier was shown in video footage thanking a Russian military correspondent for inadvertently revealing their positions on Telegram. “Our soldiers quickly detected the enemy. Part of the group was destroyed on the spot, but he was lucky to be captured and survive,” the Third Army Corps statement explained.

Colonel Pavlo Yurchuk, commander of the 63rd Mechanized Brigade, offered a scathing assessment of Russian military leadership, stating that in four years of conflict, Gerasimov had “burned” his army without successfully taking complete control of a single Ukrainian region. “While our units are nipping any attempts by the Russian Federation to approach Lyman in the bud, he is reporting to Putin about non-existent successes,” Yurchuk said.

The situation in Lyman remains precarious for the remaining civilian population. Approximately 3,500 residents are still in the city as of November 12, despite Russian forces continuously shelling all access routes. Critical infrastructure has been severely impacted, with gas supplies completely cut off following damage to the distribution system from enemy bombardment.

Lyman’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. The city serves as a key logistics and transportation hub in eastern Ukraine, making it a valuable prize for Russian forces seeking to consolidate control in the Donetsk region. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the city has changed hands multiple times, highlighting its significance in the broader conflict.

This latest disinformation attempt follows a pattern of Russian military leadership overstating battlefield successes to maintain domestic support for the war. Just days earlier, Ukrainian officials similarly refuted a report from German publication Bild claiming Russian forces had completely captured the city of Pokrovsk.

As winter approaches, military analysts suggest Russian forces are attempting to secure territorial gains before weather conditions potentially slow offensive operations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to defend critical eastern positions despite equipment and personnel challenges amid the ongoing conflict that has now stretched well into its third year.