Kurakhove has been effectively lost, - journalist

Kurakhove has been effectively lost, - journalist

Journalist Yuriy Butusov stated that the city of Kurakhove is effectively lost, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine need to withdraw forces in this direction to strengthen the defence.

«Kurakhove is effectively lost. Our military heroically holds the defence in the industrial zone on the outskirts of the city, at the thermal power plant, and in a narrow corridor through which logistics are carried out under constant enemy fire for several brigades. Continuing the defence under such conditions is disadvantageous: the tactical advantage is on the side of the enemy», — writes Butusov.

According to him, holding positions in Kurakhove leads to large losses due to the overall enemy superiority in forces. Commanders on the ground emphasize:

«As long as combat capability is maintained, troops should be withdrawn to prepared defensive lines, cover the flanks, reduce our losses, and inflict greater losses on the enemy».

Butusov notes that the decision to withdraw to new positions would be justified by the situation. However, the Ukrainian command repeats the strategy previously used in Soledar, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Vuhledar, where the defence continued until the complete exhaustion of units, even in unfavorable positions.

«When troops are exhausted on unsuitable defensive lines, there is not enough strength left to fortify more advantageous positions, and the withdrawal occurs much deeper than it could have now», — emphasizes the journalist.

He also added that the decision to delay the withdrawal causes significant discontent among the military.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the capture of Kurakhove. Ukrainian military reported the loss of the last stronghold of defence in the city — Kurakhove Thermal Power Plant.