Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade played an important role in the defense of the now Russian-captured Avdjivka and has been described as an elite unit.
They have been holding back the Russians for some time at Berdytji, a small town north of Avdijivka. But last week the defense line there collapsed and just days later the Russians were outside Otjeretyne, a larger village about eight kilometers to the north.
On Wednesday, the Russian flag flew in the center of the community.
Took time off – but had to turn around
According to several Ukrainian actors and media, soldiers from the 47th had been rotated out to get time off after almost a year of constant service at the front.
But holes in the lines appeared – and the Russians took their chance. The Ukrainian defenses broke down forcing forces of the 47th to turn around.
Several Ukrainian military personnel have expressed dismay at the development.
“The drastic Russian advance was possible because some units simply slipped from their positions,” writes Mykola Melnyk, one of the brigade’s officers, on Facebook, and continues:
“The holes had to be covered by those who would recover, so the 47th is back.”
Allow setbacks
A spokesman for the Ukrainian military admitted on Tuesday that parts of the village of Otjeretyne had been taken by Russia, but said their own forces were still there.
Several observers have described Otjeretyne as a possible springboard for attacks against, among other things, the hub city of Pokrovsk – which in turn has been pointed out by Ukraine’s intelligence chief as a potential target for Russia in an upcoming offensive.
“The problem with the loss of Otjeretyne is primarily associated with the threat of the collapse of the entire defense line in the Pokrovsk direction, which the leadership was forced to begin construction of after leaving Avdijivka,” writes Ilya Abishev, Russian-language BBC military analyst on Telegram.
