Illustrative Image
As a result of the recent Russian rapid advance in different directions in the border Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were forced to abandon their lines of defense and retreat. After Russian attacks in the area of Lyubimovka towards Novoivanovka, a large Ukrainian group was captured in a cauldron near the village of Tolsty Lug.
At the moment, the Russian military controls most of Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novoivanovka. Battles continue in Zeleny Shlyakh. Hundreds of Ukrainian troops were surrounded in Tolsty Lug and all their manoeuvres were complicated by the river to the east. Some Ukrainian forces are still present on the outskirts of Lyubimovka.
Abrams tank in action:
In an attempt to release the encircled grouping, the Armed Forces of Ukraine sent reinforcements to the area. They helped to stop the further Russian advance. Now, Ukrainian forces attempt counterattacks in Leonidovka. The first US-made M1A1 SA Abrams tanks were spotted in battles near Novoivanovka. But no reinforcement helped the Ukrainian military to release the surrounded forces.
Ukrainian units retreat:
The exact areas of control in Lyubimovka and Tolsty Lug remain unclear but the newly released footage shows Ukrainian units abandoning their military positions and escaping under Russian fire.
According to the most recent reports from the battlefield, Ukrainian servicemen are lost and can no longer understand which positions are under their control and which are lost. As a result, there are cases of friendly fire.
