During the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiyivka, a number of Ukrainian servicemen were taken prisoner, the commander of the Tavria Operational and Strategic Grouping of Forces, Oleksandr Tarnavskyy, said on Telegram.
According to the commander, the withdrawal from Avdiyivka was carried out in accordance with a plan taking into account various scenarios and possible changes in the operational situation.
"Covering the organised withdrawal of our units from Avdiyivka, the artillery of the Tavriya operational and strategic group of forces performed almost 400 fire missions... The withdrawal of personnel from Avdiyivka was carried out in accordance with a plan developed with due regard to various scenarios and possible changes in the operational situation. Nevertheless, at the final stage of the operation, under the pressure of the enemy's superior forces, a number of Ukrainian servicemen were captured," Tarnavskyy said.
The commander noted that Ukraine would appeal to international humanitarian organisations and intermediary countries for "a certain number" of Ukrainian soldiers captured in Avdiivka.