A televised meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov revealed attempts to distort the real situation in Ukraine. Gerasimov claimed the Kyiv regime is misleading its Western sponsors about battlefield successes.

Putin asserted that his troops had 'completely liberated' the city of Kostiantynivka, though parts remain under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenged Putin to meet him there for diplomatic talks.

The Russian leader also claimed to have seized over 3,000 square kilometers of territory this year, but according to the Institute for the Study of War, actual gains amount to only 97 square kilometers. Experts say Putin is creating a 'constructed reality.'

Ukrainian servicemen dismiss Russia's territorial claims, noting that flag-planting missions often fail. 'They go out to the square, and we kill them,' said Ukrainian soldier Andriy.

Ukrainian Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko believes the Kremlin aims to portray the war as a conflict with NATO to justify failures. He expects partial mobilization after September elections.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov for the first time called the conflict a 'war,' explaining that behind Kyiv stand Berlin, Paris, and Washington. Analysts see this as an attempt to mask frontline problems.

Ukrainian analyst Volodymyr Fesenko says Russia, instead of admitting failures, promotes a narrative of fighting the collective West, targeting its domestic audience.

Source: www.aljazeera.com