Ukraine withdraws troops again as Russia intensifies its offensive.

This latest setback for Kyiv's troops was in the village of Lastochkyne, where they were forced to retreat to nearby villages in an attempt to hold their positions there, according to Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesman for one of the Ukrainian military groups, speaking on state television.

Buildings damaged after Russian forces completed their takeover of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. The Donetsk region is under Russian control. Photo: AP

Lastochkyne is located west of Avdiivka, on the outskirts of Donetsk, an area that Russian forces captured on February 18 after a four-month battle. Ukrainian forces were overwhelmed by Moscow's military might, and Ukraine chose to withdraw and position its defenses elsewhere.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its military had "liberated" Lastochkyne.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted local commander Andrei Mordvichev as saying that Russian troops had pushed back Ukrainian forces 10 km (6 miles) and were continuing their offensive.

Although this is not a major loss, the abandonment of the village illustrates the battlefield challenges that Ukraine is currently facing. The new phase of the war has brought some grim developments for Ukraine.

Ukraine says Moscow's troops are advancing, attacking towns and cities with superior firepower, despite heavy losses in personnel and equipment.

Western analysts believe the Russians are launching a major offensive along four parallel axes in the northeast, aiming to advance further into the western part of the Ukrainian-held Donetsk region and also penetrate the Kharkiv region to the north.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustan Umerov complained on Sunday that half of the military aid promised by the West to Ukraine had not arrived on time. He said this made it difficult to implement proper military plans and ultimately came at the cost of soldiers' lives.

Western leaders have vowed to stand alongside Ukraine, with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov arriving in Kyiv on Monday to show his support.

Mai Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ukraine-lai-rut-quan-khi-nga-day-manh-tan-cong-o-chien-truong-phia-dong-post285906.html