The operation to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka continues, although its critical stage has already been passed. There is no information yet about the mass capture of Ukrainian defenders in individual combat brigades.
The press officer of the 3rd separate assault brigade spoke about this on air at the national telethon Alexander Borodin.
According to him, as of the evening of February 17, Ukrainian troops took up new defensive positions and are holding them, the situation remains stable.
Now watching
— A rather complex operation was carried out, because such operations are even more complex than assault ones. They are as coordinated as possible, with maximum communication between departments. Therefore, we are now taking defensive actions. The enemy continues to work quite actively, using his entire arsenal, which he used in the city itself. But the situation has become more controllable, so it can be argued that the continuation of any offensive on the part of the enemy is almost impossible, — he says.
At the same time, Borodin explains that the assault by the Russians is still continuing.
The press officer of the 3rd separate assault brigade also added information about the operation to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka.
— The most critical and most difficult moment has already been completed. However, this operation is quite large, not only my team is participating in it (— Ed.), and therefore it is not for me to talk about it (operation, & ;#8212; Ed.) completion. But the most difficult moment is over, — explains Borodin.
Prisoned Ukrainians during the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka
According to him, Ukrainian fighters at the level of individual units, including small units, were not captured by the Russians from the 3rd Brigade. At the same time, checks continue on individual cases of being captured by the Russian Federation, Borodin added.
In a comment to Ukrainskaya Pravda, the press officer said that he was not aware of the “massive” defenders from his brigade were captured by the enemy, but added that it was too early to draw conclusions.
— It’s hard to say about everyone, we’re not the only ones there. There is no systemic or unit-level capture, if we talk about my brigade, — he said.
Combat report of the Third Assault
The press service of the 3rd Separate Brigade also reported on enemy losses since the redeployment of the Third Separate Assault Brigade to Avdeevka.
— Our units inflicted significant losses on the key strike group of the Russian army, — reported to the brigade.
Despite a significant advantage in artillery, attack drones and the regular use of up to a hundred KABs per day, according to the 3rd Brigade, the enemy lost:
- more than 1500 dead;
- more than 3500 wounded;
- and more than 20 armored vehicles.
The brigade also reported that until the withdrawal, the soldiers of the Third Assault did not allow the enemy to completely encircle the positions.
— The brigade retreated to prepared positions in the vicinity of Avdeevka and leveled the front line. Now the Russians are not slowing down their offensive momentum. We continue to hold the defense in the Avdeevsky direction.
How we left Avdeevka
The Main Intelligence Directorate said that special forces from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region took part in the defense of the last road from Avdeevka for a week, inflicting colossal losses on the constantly advancing assault units of the Russians.
— As part of the order for the coordinated withdrawal of the main forces, special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with soldiers of the Special Forces, special forces Dozor GPSU, 3rd separate assault brigade, 225th separate assault battalion, 110th separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, provided an evacuation corridor, &# 8212; the scouts said.
Also, according to information from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region, during the defensive operation in the Avdiivka direction, the scouts used, in particular, Ukrainian-made armored vehicles Sikach and Kharakternik. The intelligence agency also added a photo of these armored cars, and added that “they have proven themselves well in combat conditions”.
Photo: GUR MO
Photo: GUR MO
Photo: GUR MO
Like the press officer of the 3rd Separate Brigade, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region said that special forces are holding defenses in pre-prepared positions to prevent further advance of the enemy.
Withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka
On the night of February 17, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Sirsky, announced the decision to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka.
He emphasized that the greatest value for Ukraine is preserving the lives of Ukrainian military personnel.
At the same time, the commander of the OSGV Tavria, Alexander Tarnavsky, said that the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from Avdiivka was the only correct decision, and added that, unfortunately, among the Ukrainian military there are those whom the Russian military took into capt.
