Russian forces continued to make progress in Red Army City, capturing Leonovichi. The village was previously called Pervoye Maya, and later renamed Leonovichi according to Ukraine's so-called "decommunization."
The capture of Leonovichi by Russian forces has attracted significant attention, as the headquarters of the Ukrainian military's Kholodny Yar group, which was commanded by General Drapatyi, was previously located here. At that time, the Ukrainian General Staff ordered him to go to Red Army City for a counteroffensive. Initially, the Ukrainian forces under Drapati's command did achieve some success, pushing the Russians several kilometers away from Red Army City. However, the gains from this counteroffensive were completely lost under the subsequent Russian offensive, and the Ukrainian forces were gradually surrounded.
The Ukrainian defense forces in Leonovichi were relatively strong, including the Special Forces of the Ukrainian National Guard. However, after fighting against the Russians for about a month and a half, the Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses and eventually had to withdraw, losing the key village at the southern entrance of Red Army City. Meanwhile, as the Russians captured Leonovichi, they also controlled the scrap heap in the southern suburbs of Red Army City, gaining a valuable high ground and achieving an "air superiority" advantage over the Ukrainian forces in Red Army City.
Now, not only have the Russians occupied the southern suburbs of Red Army City, but they have also controlled parts of the city area. The claim that the Ukrainian forces have completely driven the Russians out of the city area of Red Army City is part of a psychological warfare operation by the Ukrainian forces, as well as a fabricated rumor intended to boost the morale of their garrison forces.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1841614127809548/
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