KYIV: Ukraine troops have withdrawn from a village in the country’s east as Russian forces begin to show their advantages in manpower and ammunition on the battlefield at the beginning of the war’s third year, an army official said on Monday.
According to Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesman for one of the Ukrainian soldier groupings, during a national television broadcast, the withdrawal took place in the village of Lastochkyne, where Ukrainian troops had regrouped in neighboring villages in an attempt to strengthen their defenses.
Lastochkyne, situated west of Avdiivka, a suburb of Donetsk city, fell to Kremlin forces on February 18 following a four-month battle. The Ukrainian defenders, outnumbered and outgunned, opted to withdraw their forces and redirect their efforts elsewhere.
While the loss of Lastochkyne may not be significant in itself, it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine on the battlefield. The latest phase of the conflict has brought about grim developments for the country.
Despite sustaining substantial losses in personnel and equipment, Ukraine contends that Russian forces continue to advance, inflicting damage on towns and cities with their superior firepower.
Western analysts report that Russian troops are advancing on multiple fronts, particularly in the northeast, with aims to penetrate deeper into Ukraine-held territories in the Donetsk region and extending into the Kharkiv region to the north.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustan Umerov expressed frustration on Sunday over delayed Western military support, which hampers effective military planning and, ultimately, puts soldiers’ lives at risk.
Western leaders have reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion launched on February 24, 2022. Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov visited Kyiv on Monday to demonstrate solidarity.
Meanwhile, over 20 European leaders and Western officials were scheduled to convene in Paris on Monday for discussions on the conflict, which French President Emmanuel Macron described as a “critical” juncture. Macron emphasized the need for increased military resources for Ukraine over an extended period.
US President Joe Biden also aimed to streamline the process of providing additional aid to Ukraine, convening top congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to address political obstacles.
