Russian troops on Wednesday took control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Vledar in the Donetsk region, which withstood more than two years of attacks after the Kremlin invasion.
As Kiev continues to plead with the West for more and faster supplies of weapons, the eventual capture of the town marks Russia's absolute advantage in manpower over Ukraine. means advantageous.
Ukrainian soldiers ride a tank near Vledal, February 22, 2023. (Reuters/Alex Babenko)
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A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Army's 72nd Mechanized Brigade, a unit known for its brave resistance, said this, according to a translation provided. pravda ukraine On Thursday, it said the evacuation of wounded soldiers had been successful, but under “extremely difficult” conditions.
“The enemy has approached us from the flanks, which has significantly complicated the logistics,” Arseni Prilipka told the press, adding: “This is a war. Zero losses are impossible.”
Priripka emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying the commander had to make a decision in the midst of intense fighting.
“Decisions are made on the battlefield because they continually attack, control and complicate logistics,” he added, rejecting all questions criticizing the decision to withdraw from mining towns.
Ukraine's Eastern Command said it had ordered the withdrawal of Russian troops from the town in order to prevent a siege and “protect personnel and military equipment.” Reuters reported.
On October 10, 2023, an apartment complex was damaged by a Russian military attack in Vledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Reuters/Evhen Titov)
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The town reportedly had a population of around 14,000 before the Russian invasion in February 2022, but the majority of the town's residents have long since been evacuated and have remained on the front lines since the war began. It has become a town of
Images show the damage the town has suffered after more than two years of Russian shelling, with many of the buildings not only abandoned but also crumbling under smoke.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the aim of the war was to wrest the entire Donbass region from Ukraine, which the country's forces currently occupy an estimated 80% of.
According to Reuters, the last Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Vledal left on Tuesday night.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday supported the commander's decision to withdraw the brigade from the town.
Members of the 1st Independent Tank Brigade near Vledal, Donetsk region, Ukraine, March 6, 2023. (Reuters/Rishi Niesner)
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“We need to protect their lives, because they are more important than any building. They are our people, they are Ukrainian citizens.” he answered and said He answered reporters' questions about the withdrawal after meeting with NATO's new Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
“Therefore, it is very right for them to be able to go away and save themselves. For the sake of the country, for their heroic service,” he added.
