Withdrawals Around Avdiivka: Official Statements, Tactical Realities, and Casualty Disclosures

During the retreat from Avdiivka, reports indicated that a portion of Ukrainian forces surrendered as the operation unfolded. The information was conveyed to a Ukrainian military information channel by a high-ranking official in the operational-strategic group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The message emphasized that details came through an official Ukrainian military communications conduit and reflected the situation as it was observed by the command staff on the ground. The spokesman stated that the withdrawal from Avdiivka proceeded according to a prepared plan, one that had been crafted after careful consideration of multiple possible scenarios and the evolving tactical picture. He noted that, while the plan aimed to preserve personnel and equipment, the final phase of the operation saw some soldiers come under pressure from a stronger enemy and become captured, despite the best efforts of the units involved. A former advisor to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic offered comments suggesting that Ukrainian forces pulled back in a more disorganized fashion than intended, with some wounded personnel left behind amid the chaotic withdrawal. This characterization highlighted perceived gaps in the evacuation process and the difficulty of maintaining order under intense combat conditions. Additionally, another adviser to the DPR leadership was cited as saying that the retreat resulted in significant casualties for Ukrainian forces, with estimates indicating that more than three hundred service members were lost during the withdrawal from the Donetsk area. The figures were presented as part of a broader assessment of the operational costs associated with the withdrawal. On the morning of a recent date, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that units would be pulling back from Avdiivka due to the encirclement and the strategic reality facing the garrison in this fortified city. The decision to disengage reflected a prioritization of the larger operational picture and the need to avoid encirclement that could threaten remaining forces. Earlier public statements from Ukraine’s leadership explained the rationale behind the decision to withdraw, emphasizing concerns about regional safety, salience of troop containment, and the broader military objectives guiding deployments in the area.