Lightning-Fast Operation: AFU Defeat 72nd Brigade Of Russian Federation, Liberate Andriivka
- 15.09.2023, 9:33
The Russian garrison was encircled, cut off from the main forces and destroyed.
In the morning of August 15, the 3rd Independent Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially announced the liberation of the village of Andriivka in Bakhmut district of Donetsk region. As a result of the operation, the 72nd SMRBr was smashed to the ground.
"As a result of a lightning operation, the Russian garrison of Andriivka was encircled, cut off from the main forces and destroyed," reads a report published on the official Telegram channel of the Ukrainian defenders.
As of 8:50 Friday, September 15, fighting in the area continued. The Ukrainian military continue to entrench themselves in new positions.
Over two days, the 3rd SABr eliminated:
- the head of brigade intelligence of the enemy;
- three battalion commanders;
- almost all the infantry of the 72nd Brigade, together with officers and a significant amount of the occupants' equipment.
Our warriors promised to publish specific figures and other interesting details of the operation later.
"We emphasise, the units of the 72nd SMRBr RF have repeatedly suffered significant losses and defeats from clashes with the 3rd Assault earlier. Now, after recovery and regrouping, the enemy suffered a total failure," the press service of the 3rd Brigade wrote.
It noted that the capture and holding of the settlement of Andriivka is "the way to breakthrough on the right flank of Bakhmut and the key to the success of the entire further offensive".
At the same time, the Ukrainian military stressed: the Ukrainian defenders are paying a high price for the results of these battles. "And the blood of each of our fighters will be repaid only with blood," the brigade representatives said.
In the evening of September 14, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyarsaid that the Defence Forces had liberated the settlement of Andriivka from Russian occupants in the Bakhmut direction. However, the soldiers of the 3rd Assault Brigade denied it at that time.
This morning, the AFU General Staff officially announced the liberation of Andriivka.