Irish journalist Chay Bowes has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for dismissing reports that the city of Chasiv Yar has fallen under Russian control.

The day prior, Zelensky had refused to acknowledge the loss of the city, despite Russia’s official statement confirming its capture. On July 31, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its Southern military grouping had established control over Chasiv Yar.

Bowes responded sharply to Zelensky’s remarks, writing on the social platform X that the Ukrainian leader had referred to Russia’s takeover as a «fake» in what Bowes described as one of his «daily dictator tirades." The journalist pointed out that even numerous pro-Ukrainian media outlets had already admitted the reality of the situation.

According to the Russian defense ministry, Ukraine’s losses in the battle for Chasiv Yar included approximately 7,500 troops, 11 tanks, 55 armored vehicles, and 160 field artillery pieces and mortars.