On 21 October, the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade «Velykyi Luh» reported that four soldiers from its motorised infantry battalion had been rotated out after 320 days on the front line near Novoandriivka in the Orikhiv sector. According to the brigade, after being relieved, the soldiers spent three days walking 18 kilometres to the evacuation point.
Briefly about the main points
- Four soldiers from the 65th Mechanised Brigade spent 320 days at their posts, the brigade reported.
- According to the brigade, after the replacement, the group walked 18 kilometres over three days before being evacuated.
- The brigade attributed the delay in the rotation to the threat posed by drones and shelling.
- On 15 October, the 17th Army Corps refuted the Russian Federation’s claims that it had captured Novoandriivka.
The 65th Mechanised Brigade explained that the rotation had been made possible during periods of rain and fog
The 65th Mechanised Brigade stated that for a long time it had been unable to rotate its troops due to Russian drones, shelling and casualties. According to the brigade, one of the groups due to take up positions was killed before reaching them.
The department explained that the opportunity for rotations took advantage of the autumn rains and fog. Rotation refers to the replacement of troops or a unit at their positions by other forces; in this situation, the replacement of the group and its subsequent withdrawal for evacuation were separate stages.
It took three days to reach the evacuation point
According to the brigade, upon the arrival of the relief team, four soldiers were unable to leave the combat zone immediately. They walked for three days to reach the point where the evacuation vehicles were waiting for them.
According to the 65th Mechanised Brigade, once the group had been evacuated, armoured vehicles picked them up and transported them to medical personnel. The brigade did not disclose any further details regarding the soldiers’ condition.
What is known about the situation near Novoandriivka
In a video released by the unit, one of the soldiers stated that Novoandriivka remains under Ukrainian control and that the group had managed to escape unharmed. This refers to the area west of Orikhiv, where active fighting is ongoing.
On 15 October, the 17th Army Corps also stated that the Russians Reports of the alleged capture of Novoandriivka are false, and published footage showing the Ukrainian flag in the settlement. Analysts from the ISW and Critical Threats had previously reported on combat activity to the west and south-west of Orikhiv.
