On January 20, the Russian troops advanced along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and seized the village of Starch Kharkiv region .
This was reported by the Institute of War Study (ISW), it is also confirmed by the Ukrainian side.
According to ISW, geolocation, published on January 20, indicate that Russian troops seized the starch, located 20 km northwest of Svatov, and Russian military bloggers have previously claimed that Ukrainian troops had departed from the position of near the settlement.
Analysts also point to the promotion of Russians in the eastern direction from Kupyansk, who was released from the occupation in the fall of last year. In recent months, the Russians have intensified in this direction to occupy this part of Kharkiv again.
What does it mean to the front
Starch is a very small village. About 45 people lived here before the war.
On Sunday, Volodymyr Fitio, Head of Public Relations with Land Forces, made it clear that the Armed Forces's departure was planned and now the settlement was practically destroyed and has no strategic importance.
"There were probably five houses. And these 5 houses were destroyed by the Russian aggressor, and accordingly our goal is to save the lives of Ukrainian defenders, their positions were moved to the protective positions prepared by this time, where they now keep defense, do not allow the enemy to move," - explained.
He added that he sees no threats to neighboring units and suggested that the departure is a temporary phenomenon, because the front line is constantly changing.
