Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi, commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, filmed a video from central Sviatohirsk to contest assertions by Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had captured the city. The Ukrainian 60th Mechanised Brigade maintains full control of the town in the Donetsk region, which Biletskyi characterized as a rear area. Putin stated on Sept 1 that Russia had seized Sviatohirsk and Kozacha Lopan.

The town is situated approximately 13 kilometers from the active frontline. Biletskyi told Russian military and political leaders to "take off your clown noses and colourful wigs" in the recording, signaling a direct public challenge to the Kremlin's reported territorial gains.