Ukrainian Forces Withdraw from Siversk Amid Heavy Fighting

Wed Dec 24 2025 15:11:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a strategic move to preserve military lives and capabilities, Ukrainian troops have retreated from Siversk, a town heavily affected by months of conflict, as Russian forces continue their advance in the region.

Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the eastern town of Siversk due to increasing losses amidst Russian advances. The area, almost destroyed during heavy fighting, now falls closer to key Ukrainian cities under threat. The recent military developments coincide with a surge in drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and mounting pressures on the country's energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern town of Siversk, as Russia continues its steady - albeit slow - advance.

The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday it acted to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of units, adding that Russian forces had a significant advantage in manpower.

The capture of Siversk brings Russia closer to the last remaining fortress belt cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk still in Ukrainian hands in the industrial Donetsk region.

Earlier in the day, officials said three people - including a young child - were killed in massive overnight Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

In a statement, the Ukrainian military said Russian troops were continuing active offensive actions in the Siversk area despite significant losses. It added that Ukrainian defence forces had exhausted the enemy during the fighting for Siversk.

Before the Russian invasion, Siversk had about 11,000 people. Two weeks ago Russia had already reported control over the town - but Ukraine denied the claim at the time.

Siversk has been virtually wiped out as a town during many months of heavy fighting. Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The regions are collectively known as Donbas.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been under heavy pressure from his US counterpart Donald Trump to cede all of Donbas to Russia during ongoing Washington-led peace negotiations.

The peace negotiations - involving separate meetings of US officials with their Ukrainian and Russian counterparts - continued over the weekend but no breakthrough was reported.

According to Zelensky, the US had proposed a Christmas truce but Russia rejected the idea.

Overnight, Russia launched 635 drones and 38 missiles on a number of Ukrainian regions, Ukraine's air force said, adding that 621 of them were downed.

Local authorities in the central Zhytomyr region confirmed a child's death. Regional head Vitaly Bunechko said the child was taken to hospital, doctors fought for (the child's) life but could not save (the child) in the end. Five others were injured in the strike, he added.

Many suspect the overnight attack is linked to Monday's killing of a top Russian general after a car bomb exploded in Moscow. Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov died in the blast, which Russia has blamed on Ukraine. Kyiv has not commented.