Defence forces withdraw from positions in Urozhayne - OSG "Khortytsia"

This was reported to Suspilne Donbas by the spokesman for the Khortytsia operational and strategic group (OSG) Nazar Voloshyn, Ukrinform reports.

"Due to the fact that the enemy destroyed almost everything in Urozhayne, the defence forces moved to other positions. A decision was made. It was made to save the lives and health of our servicemen who were holding the defence there," the spokesman said.

According to him, the decision to withdraw from Urozhayne was made because the positions of the Defence Forces, as well as the settlement itself, were destroyed by shelling by Russian troops.

"The settlement itself was also almost completely destroyed by enemy shelling. The positions of the Ukrainian defenders were destroyed, and it was a threat to the lives of our military to keep the personnel there," said the Khortytsia OSG spokesman.

According to Voloshyn, the enemy suffers considerable losses every day to achieve success and some victories in the destroyed settlements and towns.

He stressed that the Ukrainian military is in control of the situation in that area.

As reported by Ukrinform, as of 22:00 on Wednesday, 17 July, 118 combat engagements took place at the front, with the enemy concentrating its main efforts on the Pokrovske and Toretsk directions.