Ukrainian forces retreat under intense Russian pressure in Zaporizhia

(CLO) The Ukrainian army is under great pressure in Zaporizhia as Russia advances, forcing Kiev to withdraw troops from a number of strategic areas.

The Ukrainian military commander admitted the situation in some areas of the southern Zaporizhia region had “deteriorated significantly” after his forces withdrew from five villages following heavy fighting with Russian troops.

“The enemy took advantage of the numerical and equipment superiority, waged fierce battles and captured three settlements. The situation is especially serious in the direction of Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole,” said the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskii.

The Ukrainian military said the withdrawal was ordered after “all shelters and fortifications” were destroyed in heavy shelling, with around 2,000 shells fired at their positions. Control of three other villages near Huliapole remains hotly contested.

Illustration photo: TASS

Mr Syrskii stressed that Russian forces took advantage of the weather and fog to advance on Ukrainian positions, but also suffered heavy losses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a visit to the southern Kherson region on November 11, described the situation in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhia as “difficult, partly due to favorable weather conditions for the offensive.” He added that the situation in Kupiansk was “a little easier” and that Ukrainian forces had achieved results there.

Russia has been attacking Pokrovsk for more than a year, using a pincer movement to encircle and threaten its supply lines. Mr. Syrskii said Russia had massed about 150,000 troops to attack the town. While Ukraine insists it is maintaining its supply lines to neighboring Myrnohrad, Russia claims it has surrounded Pokrovsk.

In the Kharkiv region, Russia announced it had taken full control of the area east of Kupiansk. A Russian commander, nicknamed Hunter, said his forces had seized an oil depot and a series of train stops south of Kupiansk.

Military observers note that the Ukrainian frontline is shrinking due to troop shortages and facing overwhelming superiority in Russian drones, allowing Russia to advance in many areas.

Source: https://congluan.vn/luc-luong-ukraine-rut-lui-duoi-ap-luc-du-doi-cua-nga-tai-zaporizhia-10317524.html