The Ukrainian Armed Forces will retreat from Vugledar if the city is destroyed – military officer Ivan Tymochko

Ugledar is not currently surrounded, but there is an advance of Russian forces and new risks because of it. The Russian army is trying to attack on the flanks, because there are no urban buildings in which the Ukrainian forces could defend themselves. Ivan Tymochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told about this on the air of Radio Svoboda (Svoboda.Ranok project) on September 25.

“The Russian army is trying to advance on the flanks, where they simply found an opportunity, taking into account the geographical location, taking into account the fact that there are no urban buildings that are easy to hold on to (for Ukrainian forces – ed.) or build fortifications. They (the forces of the Russian Federation – ed.) have certain advances, but I would really hate for everyone to talk about it as the entourage of Ugledar. Ugledar is not even in the operational environment now. Yes, the battles around the city and the battles for the city are very tough. But it is worth distinguishing between encirclement and fighting on the flanks,” explained Ivan Tymochko.

When asked by a RFE/RL correspondent whether the Ukrainian Armed Forces will withdraw troops, Tymochko said that the withdrawal will be carried out if it is not possible to maintain defense in the city and if there are threats to the lives of servicemen: “First of all, it will depend on the state of the city. If it is completely destroyed, if the urban structure is in ruins and there will be no possibility to build a high-quality defense, then perhaps the troops will be withdrawn. If there is a threat to the life and integrity of the military, then most likely they will be withdrawn.”

Earlier, the analytical project Deep State reported that the Russian army is trying to surround Vugledar, destroying the settlement with artillery and anti-tank missiles. They call the situation around the town of Vugledar critical and note that Russian forces have semi-surrounded the positions of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade named after the Black Zaporozhets here. One of the reasons for the situation that has developed near the city, Deep State analysts call the rejection of the rotation of the 72nd brigade. She has been defending the city for over two years.