Even the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation did not repeat the statements of the local Gauleiter Rogov.

The occupying “authorities” of the Zaporizhzhia region invented the seizure of a “significant territory” of the region.

Such conclusions were reached by analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), who analyzed the statements of collaborator Volodymyr Rogov.

“Available data from open sources as of January 21 indicate that statements by Russian occupation official Volodymyr Rogov on January 20 about the capture of a large area are likely part of a Russian information operation. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not claim that Russian forces captured new territory near Zaporizhia oblast on January 21, instead claimed that unspecified units of Russia’s Eastern Military District had taken up unspecified positions in more “advantageous directions” in Zaporizhia Oblast, undermining claims of significant territorial acquisitions, as the MoD would likely echo Rogov’s assertion if the MoD accepted his assertion plausible,” the report says.

Analysts note that official Ukrainian sources informed about Russian shelling of the areas of Mali Shcherbaki, Shcherbaki, Novoandriivka, Novodanilivka, Mala Tokmachka and Biloghirya settlements, which, according to Rogov, were captured by Russian troops on January 20.

“ISW has not found any evidence to support Rogov’s statement. Rogov is probably conducting his own information operation to artificially exaggerate Russia’s military successes in the Zaporizhzhia region,” the analysts state.

The situation in the Zaporozhye direction

Since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia has captured more than half of the territory of the Zaporizhzhia region. In recent weeks, the occupiers have announced their intention to advance in the region and capture the area completely.

At the same time, analysts of the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian Federation is preparing for long-term defense. Canadian intelligence also confirms that the Russian troops in this area are focused on the construction of fortifications.

People’s deputy of Ukraine, SBU colonel Roman Kostenko stated that the Zaporozhye direction has become key for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and therefore the enemy is accumulating manpower and equipment here. British military intelligence indicates that in this direction both Ukraine and Russia are avoiding any attempt at a large-scale offensive and are exchanging artillery strikes.