While Poroshenko said, that Debaltsevo was never encircled and that he self gave the order to withdraw, it is said that encircled Ukrainian troops refused to surrender and tried an overnight escape from the kettle by their own decision. Many soldiers have surrendered to DNR troops but most of them (2475) reportedly managed to escape. The takeover of Debaltsevo is a strategic victory of the DNR that will close the toehold that has existed until now:
Kiev says troops withdrawn from Debaltsevo rebels claim military surrender en masse RT News
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-conflict-debaltseve.html?_r=0
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6e9b6ac-b74b-11e4-981d-00144feab7de.html
Kiev says troops withdrawn from Debaltsevo rebels claim military surrender en masse RT News
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-conflict-debaltseve.html?_r=0
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6e9b6ac-b74b-11e4-981d-00144feab7de.html
