Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces: 25 Ukrainian soldiers were captured

Soldiers of the 3rd Airborne Assault Brigade in Avdiivka / Photo: Getty Images

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized that all efforts are aimed at the release of all prisoners of war, including those who were captured while covering the withdrawal of troops near Avdiyivka.

He stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

«Unfortunately, during these battles, 25 Ukrainian servicemen were captured by the Russians. This is war. Russian propagandists are trying to use various videos with captured Ukrainian soldiers to discredit the Defense Forces of Ukraine, psychological pressure and spreading panic among Ukrainians. I want to say to these soldiers, if they will hear me, to their families — we have not forgotten anyone and we are doing everything to free these servicemen from enemy captivity,» emphasized Oleksandr Syrskyi.

He noted that the Ukrainian units were forced to withdraw from Avdiyivka, because the enemy had much more forces, equipment and means of assault in that direction. The integrity of the defense structures of the Ukrainian troops was violated due to constant bombardment by guided aerial bombs. A small amount of ammunition and shells for artillery played a negative role.

The Commander-in-Chief noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from Avdiivka in order to preserve the lives of personnel and gain a foothold on the new line of defense.

«It is also worth remembering that the offensive on Avdiivka resulted in significant losses for the enemy, and it is unlikely that they will talk about it on «Russian» television. Only in the period from October 10, 2023 to February 17, 2024 in the Avdiivka direction, the Russian invaders lost: 47,186 personnel, 364 tanks, 748 armored fighting vehicles, 248 artillery systems, 5 aircraft. Since the beginning of the Avdiivka defense operation, the Ukrainian defense forces have captured 95 Russian occupiers in this area,» Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized.

After the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ukrainian defenders managed to somewhat reduce the dynamics of the offensive actions of the Russian occupiers in the Avdiivka direction. The enemy continues to lose large numbers of manpower and equipment during the assaults.

It will be recalled that on March 13, the Third Separate Assault Brigade said that the combat situation in the Avdiivka direction remains extremely difficult, the Defense Forces inflicted critical damage on the enemy, but the armed forces of the Russian Federation, which are numerically superior, continue to press.

On February 28, the Third Separate Assault Brigade announced that the military had defeated the Russian army from Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region.

On February 15, the 3rd separate assault brigade was urgently redeployed to reinforce Ukrainian troops in the Avdiivka area. The press service noted that the situation in the city is extremely critical.

On February 16, the brigade reported that the Russian army continues to actively shell Avdiivka, in particular, the territory of the Coke Chemical Plant. The invaders storm the city and attack from the air both day and night.

On February 17, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, decided to withdraw the Defense Forces of Ukraine from Avdiivka. He explained that he did it for the sake of preserving the personnel and defense on more profitable frontiers. During the retreat, part of the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were captured by the Russians.

In general, during the offensive on Avdiivka, the Russians lost 47,000 soldiers killed and wounded.