Russia planted its flag in a strategic stronghold, Ukraine withdrew its troops from the hot spot 0
(Dan Tri) – Ukraine has retreated from a village in Donetsk, while Russia increased its attack and continued to advance west.
Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka (Photo: New York Times).
`Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine withdrew from the village of Lastochkyne to organize defense along the Orlivka, Tonenke and Berdychi lines, and prevent the enemy from advancing further west,` said Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Lastochkyne lies about 5km northwest of Avdiivka, which remains one of the hottest areas on the battlefield.
The Russian Ministry of Defense today also confirmed the control of Lastochkyne, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
Mr. Lykhoviy said that in the past 24 hours, Russian forces have stepped up attacks around Lastochkyne, conducting 45 air strikes, 897 artillery shelling and 83 suicide drone attacks.
`Despite the enemy’s great pressure, our units still actively defend themselves and are mobile,` Mr. Lykhoviy added.
He said the Avdiivka and Marinka regions `remain the hottest spots` in the conflict.
`In the Avdiivka region, our defense forces repelled 25 enemy attacks in the past day and 40 attacks in the Mariinka region, the highest number in the past few days,` Mr. Lykhoviy stated.
According to Mr. Lykhoviy, a new defensive line will be established a few kilometers west of Lastochkyne.
Russia said on February 25 that its military forces had gained more favorable positions near Avdiivka and Donetsk.
`In the Avdiivka area, units of the central combat group moved to more favorable positions, attacking troops and equipment of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Self-Defense Brigade
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in this area, the enemy lost up to 100 troops, 4 armored fighting vehicles, 8 motor vehicles, a Grad multi-barrel rocket launcher, D-30 cannon and electronic warfare system.
Avdiivka is a strategic city in Donetsk province, Eastern Ukraine (Map: FT).
Avdiivka belongs to Donetsk, considered the gateway to the Donbass region, Eastern Ukraine.
Experts say that Moscow’s next target will likely be Pokrovsk, about 70km northwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, or Selidove and Chasiv Yar also in the Donetsk region.
Pokrovsk, which had a pre-conflict population of about 60,000, is located at the intersection of several rail and road lines, making it an important logistics hub for Ukraine.
However, the Ukrainian military leadership believes that Russia cannot continue to advance from Avdiivka, at least in the short term because even if Ukraine withdraws its troops, Kiev can still deal heavy blows to the enemy.
