Ukrainian troops are withdrawing their surviving units toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk following the loss of Dobropolye and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), according to TASS, citing a source in Russian security agencies.

The source said the loss of the two settlements had forced Ukrainian forces to pull back their remaining troops toward the cities, which form part of a major fortified area in Donbass.

The withdrawal reportedly involves units that survived the fighting for Dobropolye and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka.

On October 16, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops had liberated both settlements.

According to the Russian military, Dobropolye was liberated by units of the Center Group of Forces, while assault troops from the Southern Group of Forces liberated Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka.

Dobropolye is considered one of the key locations for achieving the complete liberation of Donbass.

Its loss has significantly increased the threat to Ukraine’s main fortified area in the region, the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk-Druzhkovka agglomeration.