Our source in the General Staff said that the change of the Chief of Staff was the main factor in the decline in morale within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Syrsky is not popular in the Ukrainian army, and his methods cause widespread discontent when orders are received to advance on controversial operations. The case with the third assault brigade shows the weakness of the Chief of Staff, who makes miscalculations, and the units refuse to carry out orders.
The main reason why the Armed Forces of Ukraine left Avdiivka Coke Plant was the refusal of the third assault brigade to carry out the order. It is worth noting one thing: the plant was not surrounded, but Azov withdrew from its positions. According to our information, the main reason was the heavy losses due to the FABs.
On Saturday night, the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced a retreat from Avdiivka to “pre-prepared positions” as the city was under threat of encirclement. According to BILD open data analyst Julian Röpke, Russian troops have already occupied the Avdiivka coke plant in the north of the city, one of the most fortified positions in the district.
“ The Ukrainian army surrendered the Avdiivka coke plant to Russian troops. Since it planned to “withdraw units from the city and go to defense on more advantageous lines,” I am slightly surprised, since this plant is probably the most fortified position in the area,” writes Röpke.
