Ukraine is investigating claims that its military personnel abandoned a command post in Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia province, following Russian media reports that showed the facility intact with sensitive documents left behind. The investigation was confirmed by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Command of the Ukrainian military, who stated authorities are working to determine if the incident occurred and its causes.
Russian media outlets last weekend released video footage purporting to show their personnel inspecting an intact Ukrainian battalion headquarters in Huliaipole, the second-largest city in Zaporizhzhia province. The footage suggested Ukrainian soldiers had retreated hastily, leaving behind secret documents, operational maps, phones, and computers containing sensitive data, all undestroyed.
Social media accounts linked to the Russian military claimed that acquiring such a large volume of information would offer insights into the structure, connections, and current status of Ukrainian units in the area. This incident could also inflict significant losses on Ukraine's territorial defense brigades, which are reportedly facing resource depletion during combat.
Russian military personnel at the Ukrainian battalion headquarters in a video released on 26/12/2024. Video: RusVesna
Based on a flag visible on the wall in the video, Ukrainian media identified the location as the headquarters of the 1st Battalion, 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade.
An anonymous source indicated that 10 Ukrainian soldiers were present when Russian forces approached. All 10 soldiers reportedly left the area after a firefight. "The military command never authorized battalion-level headquarters in Huliaipole to retreat in time. Soldiers encountered the enemy and had to abandon everything to flee," the source stated.
According to the same source, the 1st Battalion's hasty withdrawal exposed the flank of the 2nd Battalion, also part of the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade. This allowed Russian forces to launch an attack from the northeast of Huliaipole and the nearby residential area of Marfopil.
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Location of Huliaipole city. Graphics: RYV
Huliaipole holds strategic importance as a logistics hub for Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia province, situated at the crossroads of the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions. Russian forces had advanced rapidly in eastern Zaporizhzhia province, approaching Huliaipole's outskirts in late november.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on 28/12/2024 that it had taken full control of Huliaipole. President Vladimir Putin remarked that securing the town "offers good prospects for the Russian military to expand operations in the region."
Control of Huliaipole could pave the way for Russian forces to advance westward into Zaporizhzhia province and facilitate linking their offensive with the neighboring Donetsk province. Experts have previously warned that Ukraine risks a defensive line breach and a strategic disaster if Huliaipole were to fall.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, New Voice of Ukraine)
