Fake announcements about purported Russian seizures of Ukrainian settlements are a classic tactic of Russian propaganda aimed at demoralizing Ukrainians, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said. Reports that Russian occupiers have taken the village of Zakotne on the Sloviansk axis in Donetsk region are not true and are yet another fabrication by Russian propaganda, the AFU’s East Grouping of Forces said on its Facebook account . The East Grouping urged people to verify all information and trust only official sources, saying such fakes are used to influence Ukrainian society. According to the East Grouping, AFU units continue to hold Zakotne despite constant Russian assaults toward the village. Russian forces have also tried to infiltrate Ukrainian positions with small infantry groups but have not succeeded on this part of the front. Ukrainian intelligence is promptly identifying assault actions, concentration areas, drone crew positions and logistics routes, the statement said. Those targets are being struck with multiple-launch rocket systems, artillery and drones. The 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces said Russia is trying to seize Zakotne on the Sloviansk axis because nearby commanding heights could be used to shell Sloviansk and Lyman. Russian troops are also advancing on the village of Kryva Luka near Zakotne, which also has commanding heights. Fake claims about Russian control of Ukrainian settlements are a signature tactic of Russian propaganda, Ukrainian officials said. In January 2026, they again announced “full control” of the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv region for roughly the fifth time — a claim debunked by independent sources and the AFU.