Ukraine Retreats from Three Villages in Eastern Region
KYIV—Ukraine’s top commander stated on Sunday that Kyiv’s troops, outnumbered by Russia, had retreated to new positions west of three villages on the eastern front where significant Russian forces were concentrated.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi’s statement reflected Ukraine’s worsening situation in the east, which Kyiv hopes to stabilize with the delivery of U.S. weapons under a $61 billion aid package approved this week.
“The front-line situation has deteriorated,” Gen. Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram app, highlighting the most challenging areas as west of Maryinka and northwest of Avdiivka, which was captured by Russian forces in February.
Gen. Syrskyi mentioned that Kyiv’s troops had relocated to new positions west of the villages of Berdychi and Semenivka, both north of Avdiivka, and Novomykhailivka, further south near the town of Maryinka.
Although the enemy had some tactical victories in these areas, they failed to gain significant operational advantages, according to Gen. Syrskyi, who noted that Russia had deployed four brigades for the assault.
He added that newly rested Ukrainian brigades were being rotated into these areas to replace units that had suffered losses.
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His statement did not address the status of Novobakhmutivka, another village near Berdychi, reportedly captured by Russian forces, as mentioned by Russia’s defense ministry.
Moscow’s troops have continued their advance since seizing the town of Avdiivka.
Online maps from open-source intelligence analysts indicate an advancement of over 15 km (9.5 miles) toward the village of Ocheretyne following the capture of Avdiivka.
Further along the front, the Kyiv-held town of Chasiv Yar has become a crucial battleground due to its strategic position on elevated ground that could provide access to the cities of Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk.
Gen. Syrskyi referred to Chasiv Yar and the village of Ivanivske to its northeast as the most intense areas on that part of the front, with Russia’s defense ministry claiming to have repelled Ukrainian counter-attacks near Chasiv Yar.
Kharkiv Buildup
In a potentially concerning development for Ukraine, Gen. Syrskyi mentioned that his forces were closely monitoring the increased presence of Russian troops in the Kharkiv area, Ukraine’s second-largest city located just 30 km from the Russian border, which has faced extensive airstrikes recently.
There were no indications of Russia preparing for a direct offensive in the north of the country, according to Gen. Syrskyi.
“In the most critical areas, our troops have been reinforced with artillery and tank units,” he stated.
Ukraine is eagerly awaiting a shipment of U.S. military aid crucial for repelling Russia’s ongoing invasion. Ukrainian and U.S. teams are reportedly working on a 10-year security agreement encompassing weapons and other support, as stated by President Zelenskyy.
