Ukrainian troops have been ordered to withdraw from the town of Ugledar, on the front line in eastern Ukraine so as not to be surrounded by Russian forces, Reuters reported, citing the Ukrainian command, BTA reported.
"High command authorized a maneuver to withdraw units from Ugledar to protect servicemen and military equipment and to take up positions for further action," the command said in a statement.
Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from Ugledar, located on top of a strategically important hill, after more than two years of resistance, AP notes.
The city, which Ukraine has tried with all its might to hold, is the next populated place conquered by the Russians, the agency said, adding that after Russia's summer military campaign on the eastern front, Ukrainian forces have retreated thousands of square kilometers after fierce battles.
Statement in the application "Telegram" made the operational-strategic troop group “Khortitsya“ of the Ukrainian ground forces, under whose command are the eastern regions, including the Ukrainian territories in the Donetsk region.
"In an attempt to establish control of the city at all costs, (Russian) reinforcements were directed to attack the flanks, which exhausted the defending units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result of the enemy's actions, there was a danger of a siege of the city," the statement quoted by AP said.
The tactical importance of the city, where two main roads intersect, is increasing given the predominantly high terrain and the proximity of railway lines, the agency said, explaining that the capture of Ugledar gives Moscow an opportunity to better defend its supply routes and a better vantage point to attack Ukrainian forces and their supply channels to the south. In addition, Russia is taking another step towards a key logistic military center such as Pokrovsk.
The advance of the Russian army, which now controls almost a fifth of Ukrainian territory, is an illustration of Moscow's superiority in manpower and equipment, as Kiev continues to call on its Western allies to increase arms supplies, Reuters notes.
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The agency points out that the Russian Ministry of Defense did not mention Ugledar in its briefing today on the events on the front. The Russian v. "Moscow Komsomolets" informed that the last Ukrainian unit - 72 Mechanized Brigade, known for its combat exploits, withdrew from the mining town late last night.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already announced that Russia's main strategic goal is to capture the entire Donbass (Donetsk and Luhansk regions), according to Reuters. Moscow currently controls about 80 percent of the coal-mining region in southeastern Ukraine.
Russian forces began encircling Ugledar, about 80 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, after capturing Ukrainsk on September 17, Reuters recalls. Moscow's troops have used "pincer" tactics, narrowing and then eliminating Ukrainian positions.
Footballs show that Ugledar was subjected to massive artillery fire and aerial bombardment. From this city, the Russians can penetrate deep behind the Ukrainian defense lines, summarizes Reuters.