Angela Bachevskaya23:35, 02/20/24
It is worth noting that the speaker of the Tavria operational-strategic group of troops, Dmitry Likhovy, denies the capture of hundreds of military personnel.
During the withdrawal of the Ukrainian military from Avdeevka , Donetsk region, hundreds of soldiers could have been captured or gone missing. This assessment is given by The New York Times with reference to assessments of the military itself and senior Western officials.
Estimates of how many Ukrainians were captured or missing vary, and an accurate count may not be possible until Ukraine fortifies new defensive lines outside the city. But two soldiers aware of Ukraine’s retreat estimated that “between 850 and 1,000 soldiers appear to have been captured or missing. Western officials have said these numbers appear to be accurate. “
The Ukrainian military command admitted that some soldiers were captured during the retreat from Avdiivka. However, the exact number was not announced. The speaker of the operational-strategic group of troops “Tavria” Dmitry Likhovy denies the capture of hundreds of military personnel. He called it misinformation but acknowledged that a “certain number” of soldiers were missing.
At the same time, American officials say the loss of Avdiivka is not a serious strategic defeat. The West believes that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops was poorly planned and began too late.
“Retreating under blazing artillery fire, drone fire and airstrikes is one of the most difficult military maneuvers, requiring commanders to minimize casualties and allow units to retreat without giving up more territory than expected,” the authors of the article emphasize.
Ukraine tried to buy time for its regular infantry forces to withdraw from the city, using special operations forces and the elite 3rd Separate Assault Brigade to cover the retreat. But it was not possible to seriously slow down the advance of the invaders.
“A chaotic retreat is not inevitable. According to American strategists, it is difficult to withdraw troops without heavy losses, but it is possible if it is done during a leisurely operation. In Avdiivka, Ukraine, apparently, waited too long to begin the withdrawal of troops, and this retreat is fast turned out to be expensive,” writes the NYT.
The withdrawal of troops from Avdeevka was complicated by the fact that Russia surrounded the city on almost three sides. The only paved road was the most convenient way in and out of the city. This route, which the Ukrainian military has nicknamed the road of life, came under direct threat earlier this month, making the withdrawal of troops much more dangerous, the newspaper notes.
Senior Ukrainian officials say Russian troops also suffered heavy casualties in the battle. Russia captured Avdeevka in a massive attack, sending troops and armored vehicles. Thousands of Russian soldiers were killed and wounded, officials said.
Battles for Avdievka: important news
The brigade’s press officer, Alexander Borodin, said that there is no confirmed information about soldiers from the Third Separate Assault Brigade captured in Avdeevka . At the same time, he noted that in the battles for the city, the Russian army used aerial bombs – among the Ukrainian defenders there were wounded and missing.
Earlier, deputy commander of the 3rd Special Brigade, Maxim Zhorin, said that at a certain moment, the fighters of the brigade in Avdeevka were completely surrounded, but they managed to get out.
Meanwhile, the 110th brigade confirmed information about the execution of Ukrainian military personnel in Avdiivka by the occupiers . During the withdrawal of forces, not everyone managed to leave the Zenit stronghold. It was decided to contact the Coordination Center and organizations that are negotiating with the enemy side on the exchange of prisoners. The Russian Federation agreed to evacuate several seriously wounded defenders in order to exchange them later. However, the occupiers shot them instead.
(C)UNIAN 2024
I would take anything this pro putler rag says, with a huge pinch of salt.
Rag indeed. They have no problem quoting UA officials when it is bad news but instead of actually doing their job and getting quotes and real information they rely on phrases like these:
“…with reference to assessments of the military itself and senior Western officials.
“American officials say…”
“The West believes…”
“According to American strategists…”
Those same strategists that told Ukraine to attack fortified positions with no air support, then claim the counteroffensive failed?
Right, Red. A serious report looks differently. I could write the same thing referencing myself but saying the same crap as the NOT (New Orc Times) and nobody could ever prove me wrong.
Since Zaluzhny was replaced by a completely incompetent Zelensky-asslicker nothing would surprise me no more.
I won’t jump to a judgment yet, Mike, but if this turns out to be true, it raises serious concerns about Syrsky’s capabilities, indeed. This had been a planned retreat, with the full knowledge and supervisory of AFU HQ, after all, and shouldn’t have been screwed up that badly. If this turns out to have become a disaster, this reflects very badly on Zelensky’s controversial change of command.
I never came here to become popular. Probably nobody here. Zelensky still has not yet understood the difference between fighting a proxy war and dealing with the entire regular ruSSian army. Ukraine’s chances of winning are in the one digit range. Now with Washington betraying Ukraine even more so.
During the withdrawal it was not possible to recover all KIA AFU Warriors which contributed to # missing, and a lot of stories of what happened during withdrawal are still unknown.
I wish we would not help an entity like the New Orc Times spread unsubstantiated rubbish.