Ukrainian forces explain why Russian troops captured Krokhmalne, Kharkiv region

Volodymyr Fito, head of the public relations service of Ukraine’s Land Forces Command, made the statement on the United News telethon.

He said that 45 people lived in Krokhmalne before the start of the large-scale war.

"Let's say there were 5 houses. These 5 houses were destroyed by the aggressor," added Fito.

He explained that the primary objective of the Ukrainian Armed Forces command is to preserve the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. Their positions have been relocated to previously prepared reserve positions, where they are currently holding the line.

"The enemy is being prevented from advancing further and this does not pose any threats to neighboring units. I believe the current situation is a temporary occurrence, given the constant daily shifts in the front line. While we refrain from reporting every minor capture or retaking of 100 or 200 meters, Russian propagandists seek to portray any gain as a "Pyrrhic victory" to justify the significant losses they suffered, with 7,055 soldiers reported lost in the Khortytsia area of responsibility (Kupyansk direction - ed.) in January alone. They seize a meter or two and start claiming they've captured Berlin," explained Fito, adding that Krokhmalne had already been occupied by Russia and retaken by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the fall of 2022, but now these few hundred meters do not have a significant impact.

• On January 20, Russian occupying forces managed to advance along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and seize the village of Krokhmalne, Kharkiv region.