Key settlement of Velyka Novosilka was left without fortifications - Ukrainian army colonel

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

‘A very dangerous situation is unfolding in the area of Velyka Novosilka, in particular in the area of Novyi Komar, which has come under the control of the Russian army. This means that at least the northern vice of the operational encirclement of our group, which is located in the area of Velyka Novisilka, has been created. And a few kilometers away, the territory of Zaporizhzhia region begins,’ noted Selezniov.

According to the military expert, the military administration of Zaporizhzhia region has made a lot of efforts to create powerful engineering fortifications. But has it created the same engineering fortifications not only in the south of Zaporizhzhia region, but also in the east?

‘I am not sure, which means that we may find ourselves in a situation where the enemy army will attack us from the eastern flank on the positions of our defenders. And this could lead to a catastrophic situation,’ Selezniov said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces colonel also added that the situation in the area of Velyka Novosilka requires a separate investigation into the effectiveness of combat operations there and the prosecution of certain military officials who failed to implement the key factor - to build defensive structures.

‘How did it happen that the 12 kilometers separating the advanced assault units of the Russian army from the suburb of Velyka Novosilka were not mined, no engineering fortifications were created, and nothing was done to prevent or slow down the advance of the Russian army in this area of the front?

This is a very serious question, because successes at the tactical level in this area of the frontline can be transformed into operational and tactical successes. And this can pose not only a threat of flanking attacks on Ukrainian defenders in the south of Zaporizhzhia region, but also a serious threat to our defenders operating in the area of the Kurakhove bridgehead,’ stressed Selezniov.

• Since the beginning of the day on December 2, 201 combat engagements have been registered on the frontline between the two armies. Russian forces were most active in the Kurakhove sector, with 67 hostile attacks taking place there.
• The Russian enemy tried to seize and hold a bridgehead on the right bank of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region. Ukrainian Defense forces drove the occupying Russian troops out.