The military denied information about the encirclement in the Donetsk region

The information about the alleged encirclement of units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in Rodynske in the Donetsk region is not true.

This was reported by the East Group of Forces.

The military notes that the Russian army has intensified its attempts to capture Pokrovsk and Mirnograd. To this end, the enemy is increasing pressure in the Rodynske and Hryshyn districts. The situation remains difficult.

The defense forces are conducting enhanced aerial reconnaissance, mining the enemy’s likely routes of advance, blocking its logistics, and conducting search and strike operations. Drone units and artillery are actively operating. Russian troops are suffering significant losses.

Due to the expansion of the kill zone and the constant activity of Russian drones, the logistics of Ukrainian units have become more complicated, but support continues.

On the Slavyansk direction, Russian troops attempted to advance in the Riznykivka area with additional reserves, but suffered losses and were unsuccessful.

In the areas of Minkivka and Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Ukrainian units destroyed small enemy infantry groups that were trying to infiltrate and bypass positions. Some Russian soldiers were killed, some surrendered.

As of the evening of February 20, Ukrainian defenders had repelled 25 enemy assaults in the area of responsibility of the East group.

Earlier, it was reported that the commander of the National Guard of Ukraine , Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, stated that Ukraine could fight for several more years . According to him, the strategic goal remains the return of territories, but now the priority is survival and a ceasefire.

As a reminder, on February 20, the Russian occupation army made territorial advances in three settlements in the Donetsk region .