Russia has released a statement and a propaganda video alleging the capture of the settlement of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region, but Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) have denied the claim.
The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade reported on Telegram that a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group (DRG) infiltrated Verbove in an attempt to stage footage of the Russian flag being raised. According to the brigade, Ukrainian forces swiftly eliminated the group.
“The guys entered the village, eliminated the remnants of the enemy and cleared the settlement,” the report said, stressing that Verbove remains under AFU control.
The brigade’s video first shows Russian propaganda footage claiming the settlement had been taken. It then switches to Ukrainian drone footage capturing Russian soldiers entering Verbove and attempting to install the Russian tricolor.
Moments later, explosions strike the group, with the brigade confirming that three Russians were killed and one fled.
The video concludes with Ukrainian troops raising the blue-and-yellow flag over the settlement.
The 110th Brigade also criticized DeepState monitoring resource, saying its reports can sometimes amplify Russian information operations.
However, DeepState’s latest map marked Verbove as “territory requiring clarification” while noting Russian advances nearby.
Verbove, located southeast of Zaporizhzhia near Orikhiv, lies on the route to Tokmak and Melitopol – key Russian logistics hubs. Since 2023, it has been one of the fiercest battlegrounds of the Zaporizhzhia front, suffering heavy destruction and the displacement of most of its civilian population.