Ukrainian forces withdraw from strategic town in eastern Donetsk region

​​​​​​By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Ukrainian General Staff announced Tuesday that its forces have withdrawn from the strategic town of Siversk in the eastern Donetsk region to maintain unit combat capability.

"In order to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of the units, the Ukrainian defenders withdrew from the settlement," the military command said, adding that the city remains under the fire control of Ukrainian troops to prevent further Russian advances.

The General Staff noted that Russian forces achieved the advance due to a significant superiority in equipment and manpower, utilizing constant pressure from small assault groups despite difficult weather and high casualty rates.

The command emphasized that the defense of Siversk exhausted the opposing forces, stating that "every meter of the city was given to the enemy at a high price" and that logistics for units currently in the city are being targeted.

Ukrainian units have reportedly moved to new positions to continue combat missions around Sloviansk, some 44.8 kilometers (47 miles) away by road.

The withdrawal follows Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming on Dec. 11 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had received a report regarding the complete capture of the town.

Siversk is a strategic Ukrainian stronghold in the Donetsk region. Its capture is seen as a significant step, opening a direct route toward the key cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, which form a major defensive hub for Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas.

The news comes as the Ukraine war nears the four-year mark, and as efforts for peace continue.