Potentially hundreds of Ukrainian servicemen were surrounded near the village of Progress in eastern Ukraine. Currently, there is no withdrawal order, reports the Ukrainian analytical group Deep State. However, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, his troops should never fight to the last man, so the order to retreat may come soon, Forbes writes.
Now the Ukrainian military will have to either push their way to the west, or wait for other brigades to push their way to the east in order to lift the blockade.
In recent days, alarming signs have appeared on the battlefield west of the ruins of Avdiyivka. In a week, Russian motorized rifle regiments moved 6.5 kilometers to the west, moving towards Progress. They split into two parts and surrounded two battalions of the 31st mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army.
In the Forbes publication, it is assumed that the situation arose due to sector-wide problems with the Ukrainian command. Earlier it was reported that the situation on this part of the front became critical due to the chaotic withdrawal of one of the infantry brigades (the 110th mechanized brigade or the 111th territorial defense brigade).
The surrounded Ukrainian battalions have to survive with the help of heavy drone deliveries, which drop packages with food, water and ammunition. However, drones cannot endlessly supply hundreds of people, replace rockets and other heavy munitions, or transport the wounded to safety. Therefore, the battalions cut off at Progres are forced either to fight their way to the west or to wait for help from the outside.
As reported in the Khortytsia operational-strategic military group, the Defense Forces of Ukraine are taking measures to expel the Russian invaders from the area of the village of Progress in Donetsk region. In general, the situation in the Pokrovsky direction, where units of the 31st Separate Mechanized Brigade are conducting defensive battles, is tense and difficult.
Earlier, DeepState stated that the Russian occupation forces captured the village of Progress, quickly turning the tide of the battle.
The situation remains difficult, but Ukrainian troops continue to fight and take measures to free their comrades from the encirclement.
