In a town around 6 miles south of Sievierdonetsk, Russia is the sole occupier. Ukraine has held on to Sievierdonetsk so far as it was one of the last Ukrainian held cities in the East of Ukraine in the area known as the Donbass.
After weeks of constant bombardment from Russian artillery and heavy street fighting, Ukraine has decided to move out as there is nothing left to defend. Once Russia takes over Sievierdonetsk, it will make a clear path for Russia to set its eyes on Lysychansk which will be the remaining Ukrainian held city in the Donbass.
The regional governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Gaidai, has stated that Ukrainian troops have already been given their orders to move to new positions.
Source #1 Reuters
Source #2 NBC News
Source #3 New York Times
After weeks of constant bombardment from Russian artillery and heavy street fighting, Ukraine has decided to move out as there is nothing left to defend. Once Russia takes over Sievierdonetsk, it will make a clear path for Russia to set its eyes on Lysychansk which will be the remaining Ukrainian held city in the Donbass.
The regional governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Gaidai, has stated that Ukrainian troops have already been given their orders to move to new positions.
"Remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense," - Serhiy Gaidai
"Our forces had to withdraw and conduct a tactical retreat because there was essentially nothing left there to defend. There was no city left there and, secondly, we could not allow them to be encircled." - Olesander Musiyenko, Kyiv-based Military Analyst
Source #1 Reuters
Source #2 NBC News
Source #3 New York Times