This is the 14318th most frequent Russian word.
отделяют
"Отделяют" means "separate" or "divide."
In this sentence, "отделяют" is used to describe a physical separation between the forest and the city.
Лес и город отделяют высокие стены.
The forest and the city are separated by tall walls.
Here, "отделяют" is employed figuratively to describe maintaining a connection regardless of spatial separation.
Друзья никогда не отделяют друг друга, несмотря на расстояние.
Friends never separate from each other despite the distance.
In this case, "отделяют" refers to the actively performed task of sorting or separating components.