The Russian army is drawing forces to Sloviansk, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready - the head of the Military Administration
ROMAN PETRENKO – SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2022, 12:29
Russian troops are accumulating forces on the Sloviansk front, they will try to repeat the scenario of Mariupol and Sievierodonetsk, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration. However, the Armed Forces [of Ukraine] are ready to meet them there.
Source: Kyrylenko on air of 24/7 national newscast, quoted by Ukrinform
Quote from Kyrylenko: "We are witnessing the accumulation of manpower, heavy armoured vehicles and artillery on the Sloviansk front.
The enemy is using its tactics and trying to move closer to our line of defence in order to use artillery to shell the city in addition to the missiles and aircraft they systematically use in the Donetsk region.
The Russians are not changing their tactics, we have seen what happened in our hometown of Mariupol and in Sievierodonetsk, so we are preparing for any scenario with Sloviansk. "
Details: According to Kyrylenko, the Armed Forces [of Ukraine] will do everything to prevent the Russians from using this tactic, and will stand as long as necessary.
Background:
- On 23 June, Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, said that Ukrainian defence forces in Sievierodonetsk could retreat to new, better-fortified positions.
- On 24 June, Haidai reported that Ukrainian defenders had stopped the Russian offensive near Borivske in Luhansk Oblast and repulsed the attack on Lysychansk, while the occupiers had managed to capture Mykolaivka, and fighting was continuing in Sievierodonetsk.
- Haidai later said that the Ukrainian troops defending Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast had been ordered to retreat to better-fortified positions.
- Yurii Butusov, a journalist, said that Ukrainian units had left part of the Sievierodonetsk industrial zone in an organised manner.
- The US Department of Defence endorsed the withdrawal of troops from Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast.
