Ukraine confirms withdrawal from key district in strategic town
A Ukrainian serviceman of 56th Separate motorized infantry brigade sits a top of a Czech made Dana self-propelled howitzer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: REUTERS
Ukraine said Thursday its forces had withdrawn from a district in the key eastern town of Chasiv Yar, where Russian forces have claimed several advances.
"It became impractical to hold the Kanal district, which the enemy had entered, because it threatened the lives and well-being of our soldiers. The command decided to retreat to better protected and prepared positions," a Ukrainian military spokesman said on state-run television.
Previously, the Czech Defence Ministry said on July 3 that the country donated equipment from its army storage, including aircraft and ammunition, worth 6.75 billion crowns ($288.42 million) to Ukraine as of the end of May.
The Czechs have been among the staunch backers of Ukraine and the first to send heavy equipment soon after Russia's full invasion started in February 2022.
Apart from donating from their army storage, they have arranged much larger supplies of heavy equipment and ammunition with funding from allies and Ukraine itself.
This includes half a million of artillery shells to be delivered under the so-called Czech initiative this year, or hundreds of pieces of heavy equipment including tanks.