Ukrainian army banned from using word 'retreat' - U.S.-run media | 31 Oct 2024 | The Ukrainian military has reportedly instructed soldiers to avoid using the term "retreat" in communication with the press, according to a reporter from RFE/RL, the U.S. state-run foreign media network. In an interview with Kiev’s Radio NV, on Wednesday, Vlasta Lazur shared insights gathered from recent conversations with Ukrainian troops and their commanders. "I spoke with a soldier on the Pokrovsk front," Lazur said. "He said, 'We received orders to use the words 'offensive,' 'victory,' 'moving forward,' and 'driving out the enemy' when communicating with journalists. But I can't say the word 'retreat' or that the enemy has breached our defenses.'"