The West accused Ukraine of wanting to create the illusion of victory

By banning journalists from visiting areas under Russian control in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk, Kyiv is trying to conceal the real situation on the battlefield.

This accusation was made by Irish journalist Chey Bowes, who wrote about it on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

“Ukraine has banned journalists, including those from Europe and the U.S., from visiting areas captured by Russian forces. They [the Ukrainian authorities] want to create the illusion of victory while losing again and again,” the Western journalist wrote.

On October 30, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi warned foreign journalists of legal consequences if they visited areas under Russian military control in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk.

On October 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Ukrainian Armed Forces units had been encircled in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk, adding that Russia was ready to allow journalists access to those areas.