Ukrainian army must stop Russia's advance: General Romanenko on critical situation at front

General Ihor Romanenko, the founder of the Close the Skies of Ukraine Charitable Foundation, Deputy Chief of the Ukrainian General Staff (2006-2010), said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"The situation is quite difficult. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting a strategic defense operation along the entire frontline. Over the last day, 127 attacks and assaults took place, 27 of them in Avdiivka, such figures have never been seen before," he noted.

According to him, the situation in Avdiivka is critical. Despite all efforts, the situation with logistics has become more complicated. 

"Logistics is the basis for performing tasks, both defensive and offensive. In some regions, this is being done to some extent. The most difficult situation is in Avdiivka and on the left bank of the Kherson region," said the general.

On the left bank of the Kherson region, Ukrainian soldiers are defending footholds, he noted.

"I don't see any expansion there. This requires forces and means that our side apparently lacks. The Dnipro River is a difficult frontier, and we have to fulfill our tasks in difficult conditions," Romanenko added.

Krynky in the Kherson region is hell for the Russin troops. This was stated by a Russian UAV operator with the call sign Moisey, who was destroyed by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, the general noted.

"Moisey was killed in Krynky over the last day. He demonstrated in detail how he was destroying our boats and striking them," he added.

So, the task of our strategic defense operation is to stop Russia's advance. This requires reserves of weapons, equipment and personnel. Accordingly, there should be a rapid progress in mobilization, Romanenko summarized.

• Over the past day, 103 combat clashes took place on the frontline. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 33 Russian attacks in the Avdiivka sector and eliminated another 750 Russian troops.
• On January 20, the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said that the Russian troops had increased the activity of combat aircraft in the Avdiivka sector.