The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially confirmed that Ukrainian military forces withdrew from the city of Sieviersk in Donetsk region. This was reported by the department on December 23.
Reasons for withdrawal from the city
According to representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, the decision to withdraw was made "in order to preserve the lives of our soldiers and combat capability of units." Heavy fighting continues in the Sieviersk area, and Russian occupiers have a significant advantage in manpower and equipment.
"The invaders were able to advance due to significant numerical superiority and constant pressure by small assault groups in difficult weather conditions," the General Staff noted.
The city remains under fire control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Despite the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the settlement, the General Staff emphasizes that Sieviersk remains under fire control of Ukrainian forces. "Occupiers located in the city are being defeated, their logistics are being cut off. Enemy units are being blocked to prevent their further advance," the department reported.
Duration of battles for the city
According to the American Institute for the Study of War, it took Russian forces 41 months to advance 20 km west from Lysychansk to Sieviersk and capture the city. Before the war, about 11 thousand people lived in Sieviersk.
Analysts note that Sieviersk became the only Ukrainian city captured by Russia in 2024. Now it is important for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to "preserve the lines" in the area of Reznikivka village, located 8 km southwest of Sieviersk, to prevent a breakthrough of Russian forces to Sloviansk.
New threats on the border
Simultaneously with events in Sieviersk, on December 23 Ukrainian Armed Forces representative Viktor Tregubov reported that Russian forces crossed the border with Ukraine in a new section - in the area of the border village of Grabivske in Sumy region. According to him, about 100 Russian military personnel are participating in the attack, fighting for the village continues.
