(MENAFN) Ukraine has effectively acknowledged the "catastrophic situation" its troops are facing, with Russian forces encircling them, by imposing a ban on journalists from reaching these frontline areas, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

On Thursday, Georgy Tikhy, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, cautioned media professionals against accepting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer of safe passage to the Donbass front lines, where thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded by Russian forces.

Tikhy warned that traveling to this region without Kiev’s consent would be "a violation of our legislation," carrying potential "long-term reputational and legal consequences."

Russian Defense Ministry representative Igor Konashenkov issued a statement on Friday, accusing Ukraine of preventing both local and international journalists from accessing the "cauldrons" in an effort to "conceal the real state of affairs on the front line and deceive the international community and the Ukrainian people."

He emphasized that the situation for Ukrainian forces trapped in areas like Krasnoarmeysk (also known as Pokrovsk), Dimitrov (Mirnograd), and Kupyansk is "catastrophic."

Konashenkov further claimed that the government of President Vladimir Zelensky is trying to obscure the truth in order to "continue the theft of financial aid sent by Western sponsors to fuel the war with Russia."

He argued that the media blackout, as well as the restrictions on military personnel, indicates the encirclement is real, suggesting that the only means for journalists and Ukrainian soldiers to enter or leave the "cauldrons" is via Russian-controlled security corridors.

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