The Ukrainian military announced today that it had withdrawn “with minor losses” from a position it had been holding to the south of Abdiivkathe city in eastern Ukraine where the situation has worsened significantly in recent days, after Russian attacks to take it intensified.

For Ukraine there is a risk of being forced to leave this city, which today is almost completely destroyed, due to lack of ammunition. On the other hand, Russia, with more men and ammunition, can hope to capture it just days before the second anniversary of the invasion on 24 February. This would be Russia’s biggest symbolic victory since Kiev’s failed counteroffensive last summer.

“We held this position as long as it allowed us to effectively repel and destroy the enemy. The decision to withdraw was made to save personnel and improve the operational situation,” the general said on Telegram Alexander Tarnavskythe Ukrainian commander of this zone.

The withdrawal from this fortified position was done “with little loss,” he assured. In other threatened zones, if necessary, Ukrainian forces will also move to new positions they are preparing to hold the city, he added.

A little later, Tarnavsky spoke of “fierce fighting” in the city, where “the enemy continues to attack from many sides at once.” But he assured that the sending of reinforcements and supplies to the Ukrainian soldiers continues.

“The situation is critical,” its representative said on television 3rd Brigade Alexander Borodin. This unit had also fought in Bahamut and was sent in the last few days to defend Adviivka.