(ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, UKRAINE) – Ukraine’s 33rd Assault Brigade has cleared Russian forces from the settlements of Ternuvate and Prydorozhne in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to video statements and battlefield footage released by Ukrainian sources.
In a video recorded in Ternuvate, Ukrainian soldiers said the village had been fully cleared of Russian troops. Subtitles accompanying the footage state that Ukrainian forces regained full control of the settlement following fighting in the area.
In the recording, a Ukrainian serviceman accused Russian forces of staging false victory images by briefly entering contested settlements, raising flags, and filming photographs and videos without establishing real control.
The soldier said such material is used for online propaganda and to present exaggerated claims of success to the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and senior military commanders.
Similar staged videos have previously emerged from areas located 20 to 30 kilometres behind the front line, where Russian forces have claimed to capture settlements they did not fully control.
A second video released by Ukrainian sources shows troops clearing buildings in the nearby village of Prydorozhne, which lies close to Ternuvate. The footage shows soldiers using small arms and grenades to search and secure structures.
No official figures were provided on Russian casualties during the operation.
At the end of the video, Ukrainian soldiers are seen raising the national flag and declaring the settlement free of Russian troops.
The footage indicates that both settlements were cleared during overnight operations. Military observers noted that the development received limited attention on open source intelligence platforms.
Analysts said Russia had not established full control over either location. Instead, they described the Russian presence as a short term incursion aimed at producing propaganda material rather than holding territory.
Mapping data published by the DeepState monitoring group did not list either settlement as contested or occupied, suggesting that Russian forces were expelled quickly.
Both villages are located on the western bank of the Haichur River, which forms part of the current line of contact between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Some analysts cautioned that Russian units may have advanced around nearby contested settlements, possibly attempting to exaggerate territorial gains for political and media purposes.
Others said it remains unclear whether neighbouring areas to the south have shifted under Russian control, noting that available information is incomplete.
The Ukrainian soldier who recorded the footage said the Russian unit involved appeared to be a small group deployed mainly to raise flags and film material for propaganda.
The Zaporizhzhia region has seen increased Ukrainian strikes against Russian logistics and military positions in recent weeks.
Military commentators have linked a reported decline in Russian offensive activity to disruptions in communications and satellite services used by Russian forces.
Russian military bloggers have also expressed concern that Ukraine may be preparing a larger counteroffensive in parts of the region.
Ukrainian officials have not commented further on the latest operations.
Independent verification of battlefield claims remains difficult due to restricted access to front line areas.
