“Temporary measure”: Ukraine’s forces retreat near Krokhmalne, Kharkiv region

He said this on the air of the national telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Krokhmalne was a settlement where 45 people lived before the outset of the large-scale war. It around five households... And then Russian invaders destroyed all of those five houses. Accordingly, our main goal is to protect the lives of Ukrainian defenders. They were ordered to move to reserve positions prepared beforehand, where they are now holding their defense, preventing the enemy from advancing farther," Fitio said.

According to him, the relocation poses no threat to neighboring units, adding that the withdrawal is a “temporary measure.” The spokesman also recalled that the physical front line remains dynamic, shifting on a daily basis.

He also noted that Krokhmalne was liberated during a 2022 Kharkiv offensive after the Russians had occupied it earlier that year.

"Now the several hundred meters that they (the Russians - ed.) gained are of no importance," Fitio said.

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank reported that on January 20, Russian troops advanced along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and captured the village of Krokhmalne.