Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern town of Siversk, as Russia continues its steady - albeit slow - advance.
The Ukrainian military stated on Tuesday that the decision was made to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of units, noting that Russian forces held a significant advantage in manpower.
The fall of Siversk brings Russian forces closer to the last few contested urban centers of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the industrial Donetsk region.
On the day of the withdrawal, officials reported that three individuals, including a young child, were killed in torrent of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory has been taken by Russian military.
Despite Ukrainian forces reporting that they had exhausted Russian troops during the fighting for Siversk, currently, Moscow controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and nearly all of the neighboring Luhansk region, collectively referred to as Donbas.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced increasing pressure over territorial concessions in negotiations with the U.S., despite firmly rejecting ceding any land without comprehensive security guarantees for Ukraine.
The security situation remains dire as rising temperatures and ongoing assaults place additional strain on the country's energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages in multiple regions.
In response to Russian attacks, Ukraine also reported taking offensive action, striking a petrochemical plant in southern Russia as its forces continuously face escalated missile and drone strikes.
