Zelensky reacts to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' withdrawal from Vuhledar

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Vuhledar in the Donetsk region a correct decision. However, he emphasized that Ukraine lacks sufficient weapons, and there are delays in the supply of new military aid.

«Without the appropriate weapons, we cannot stop the Russian Federation. When they destroy our fighters’ positions, it becomes necessary to protect their lives because their lives are more important than any buildings. These are our people, Ukrainian citizens. Therefore, it is absolutely right that they withdraw to preserve themselves for the sake of the state and their heroic service. These are the right steps», — Zelenskyy said at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who was in Kyiv on Thursday, October 3, as reported by Ukrinform.

The President once again urged international partners to provide Ukraine with weapons. Ukraine needs «the means to stop Russia with various weapons and to grant permission to supply the necessary systems.» He also noted that there is currently a backlog in weapons deliveries.

«Ukraine needs to strengthen its positions at the front so we can increase pressure on Russia for the sake of real, fair diplomacy. Therefore, we need an adequate quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range systems, which, in my opinion, our partners are already delaying», — Zelenskyy added.

It is worth recalling that on the evening of October 1, the DeepState project reported that Russian forces had occupied Vuhledar. The occupiers began to raise their flags throughout the city.

On the afternoon of October 2, the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of Forces confirmed the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Vuhledar. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the city had been defended by the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians.

As a reminder, the northern part of Donetsk Region, home to around 260,000 residents, is facing significant water supply issues. They are caused by heavy Russian shelling, as reported by Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration.