encirclement

This frequently happens in sieges, such as Germany's encirclement of Leningrad during World War II.

The 110th brigade posted a message on their Facebook page saying that because of the full encirclement of Zenith, Ukraine had "contacted organisations that hold talks on prisoner exchanges" to assist their soldiers.

Announcing the decision to withdraw early on Saturday, head of the Ukrainian armed forces Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said he acted "to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of service personnel".

General Syrsky said he had ordered the retreat “in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen.”

Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said early Saturday that he was withdrawing troops from the city, where outnumbered defenders battled a Russian assault for four months, to avoid encirclement and save soldiers’ lives.