Biletsky: There has never been a Russian soldier in Sviatohirsk

Biletsky with the Sviatohirsk Lavra in the background. Photo: Third Army Corps Facebook page

Azov commander Andriy Biletsky denied reports that Sviatohirsk had come under Russian military control, confirming that the city remains in the rear area of Ukrainian forces. He recorded a video with the Sviatohirsk Lavra in the background and dismissed claims that Russian soldiers were in the city as false.

“Take off those clown noses and those multicolored wigs. Stop making fools of yourselves,” Biletsky said, addressing Russia’s military and political leadership. He was commenting on reports that 14 settlements, including Kozacha Lopan and Sviatohirsk, had come under Russian control over the past month.

According to Biletsky, the situation in the city is stable. “It’s not just that there has never been a Russian soldier in Sviatohirsk. This is actually a nice place. Preferably in a bulletproof vest, of course, but you can walk around here without any problems,” he said. In the video, he showed a civilian car driving past, as well as the Sviatohirsk monastery.

The defense of Sviatohirsk is being held by the 60th Mechanized Brigade of the Third Army Corps. Biletsky said the area is in the unit’s rear zone and insisted that the situation remains calm and that, in his words, “everything is fine.” He ended the video with the words, “Glory to Ukraine!”

On August 23, 2026, an attack took place at the Sviatohirsk Lavra, killing monastery resident Monk Varsonofiy (Turiansky) and leaving two other monks seriously wounded. According to the forensic examination, the monk died from a through-and-through gunshot wound to the head and neck. The case is being handled by the Specialized Defense Prosecutor’s Office of the Eastern Region.

As the UOJ reported, a political consultant explained why the authorities have remained silent about the killing in Sviatohirsk.

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