After the Russian Western Grouping bypassed the forest area south of Sobolevka and reached the R07 (N26) highway connecting Kupiansk and Kharkiv from the southwest of Sobolevka, the Ukrainian forces in the forest area began to abandon their positions and retreat, as they felt that continuing to defend in the forest area was no longer meaningful. Previously, the Ukrainian forces had set up multiple defensive positions in the forest area south of Sobolevka, intending to use it as a main barrier to prevent the Russians from attacking southward from Sobolevka and cutting off the R07 highway. However, the Russians did not attack according to the Ukrainian expectations, but instead bypassed the forest area without engaging with the Ukrainian forces, which surprised the Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian forces in the forest area realized that after the Russians made a detour, they would not only attack southward from the western side of the forest area to cut off the R07 highway, but also later along the R07 highway to cut off their rear, so it was now time to flee.

Ukrainian drones captured footage of a group of Ukrainian soldiers leaving the positions in the forest area south of Sobolevka and west of Kupiansk. In addition, Russian drone operators admitted that they were surprised by the fact that Ukrainian troops almost left the positions in formation.

In fact, the Chief of the Ukrainian General Staff, Hrytsenko, and other Ukrainian generals have not officially ordered the withdrawal of troops from the positions near Kupiansk. The Ukrainian command has always followed the two words "hold fast," even if holding the position had lost its significance, they would still issue orders to hold the position. However, the front-line Ukrainian troops did not take the "hold fast" orders from the command seriously. Once they felt that holding the position was meaningless, they would withdraw on their own, which is why the Ukrainian government and military often complain about the Ukrainian forces' unauthorized departure from their posts.

Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1842051537939468/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.