Ukrainian army withdraws from another eastern village as Russia destroys its defensive positions

kyiv, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian military has withdrawn from the village of Urozhaine in the eastern Donetsk region, an official said Thursday, abandoning another frontline position as Russian forces smash Ukrainian defenses in a relentless assault.

The village was reduced to rubble, which “made it impossible to maintain positions there,” Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the local ground forces, told The Associated Press in a written message. He did not specify when the withdrawal took place.

Russia seized Urozhaine in the early the war The conflict began after Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Ukrainian troops recaptured it nearly a year ago. The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had retaken the village a few days ago.

Russia has deployed devastating firepower as it pursues a summer offensive Ukrainian forces have reduced towns and villages to rubble, depriving Ukrainians of any defensive protection. Despite a courageous defense, Ukrainian forces are being pushed back in some places along the front line by the Kremlin’s larger and better-equipped army, analysts say.

Ukrainian firepower has improved since U.S. lawmakers approved a a much-needed military aid program this spring, but it is not yet arriving quickly enough to stop the Russian advance, particularly in Donetsk.

Leaders from all over Europe met in England Thursday to discuss European security and further aid to Ukraine.

Kyiv employs a strategy of bending but not breaking Ukraine was thus able to buy time until it could get more Western weapons and ammunition to the front. By giving up some territory, Ukraine was able to fight from better-defended positions, military officials and analysts say.

Ukraine has tried to take the fight to Russia by launching long-range strikes on its rear areas.

Ukrainian marine drones Russian fighter jets attacked the Russian coast guard base on Lake Donuzlav in occupied Crimea on Wednesday night, a Kiev security official told AP.

The attack damaged a Russian command post, an ammunition and equipment depot and some military positions, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information publicly.

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