In the area of the village of Krokhmalne in Kharkiv Oblast, the Defense Forces of Ukraine "retreated to reserve positions in order to preserve the lives of fighters."
AFU retreat from Krokhmalne in the Kharkiv region
The spokesman of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Volodymyr Fityo, confirmed the withdrawal from the village of Krokhmalne in the Kharkiv region on the air of the telethon.
According to a spokesman for the Ground Forces, it was a settlement of about five houses - it is now destroyed.
Krokhmalne was a settlement of 45 people before the outbreak of a full-scale war. There were probably 5 houses there. And these 5 buildings were destroyed by the Russian aggressor, and accordingly our goal is to save the lives of the Ukrainian defenders, their positions were moved to defensive positions prepared before now, where they are now holding the defense, preventing the enemy from advancing.
Fityo noted that it does not pose any threats to neighboring units.
I think this is a temporary phenomenon. The front line changes daily.
He also noted that Krokhmalne was occupied by Russia in 2022, the settlement was recaptured during the Kharkiv offensive.
Now the several hundred meters that they (the Russian military — ed.) captured are of no importance at all, — said Fityo.
ISW reports on the occupation of Krohmalne
Analysts report that on January 20, Russian troops advanced along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and captured the village of Krokhmalne.
It is located 20 km northwest of Svatovo.
Russian troops slightly advanced to the east of Ivanovka (20 km southeast of Kupyansk).
Russian troops also advanced to the southwest of Bakhmut.
