The Ukrainian Military Law Enforcement Service has launched an investigation after Russian troops occupied a command and observation post of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Gulyaipole, Zaporizhia region, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky told Channel 24.
“The incident occurred due to the withdrawal of the brigade, which failed to hold its position“, Syrsky said, adding that Ukrainian military items, equipment, flags and materials that could contain sensitive information were left at the post.
According to Syrsky, the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade “could not withstand the enemy pressure“ and gradually withdrew, which necessitated the redeployment of assault units. The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the actions of the battalion commander would be subject to legal review to determine why he failed to comply with orders to organize perimeter defense and destroy materials containing sensitive information.
Gulyaipole is located in the Polokhovsky district of Zaporizhia region, 99 km southeast of the regional center, 130 km from Berdyansk and 650 km from Kiev.
On December 28, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the city had been completely captured, and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced this the day before.
Andrey Ivanayev, commander of the “East” group of troops, stated that Gulyaipole was captured in 20 days. He reported the start of the operation to capture the city to President Vladimir Putin on December 2.