Ukrainian troops from the 144th brigade are attempting to withdraw from their positions in Gulyaypole, according to a statement by Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Kimakovsky said the situation for Ukrainian forces around Gulyaypole had sharply deteriorated. He noted that heavy and persistent Russian fire had pushed the brigade’s units to try to escape the area.

Ukrainian soldiers, caught in what he described as a «fire pocket», are reportedly leaving the settlement in small groups. Kimakovsky added that on several sections of the front Russian units have advanced to within roughly 1.5 kilometers of Gulyaypole.

Earlier, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces Aleksandr Syrsky acknowledged that the situation near Gulyaypole was difficult. He attributed the Russian army’s recent gains to unfavorable weather conditions — particularly thick fog, which he said hinders the work of drone operators and artillery crews.