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Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian troops forced to cede strategic city of Severodonetsk in Luhansk

Ukrainian troops on Friday were forced to retreat from the strategic city of Severodonetsk in Luhansk. Governor of the Lugansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, said that Ukrainian forces in the city had received the order to withdraw.

TN World Desk

Updated Jun 25, 2022, 07:07 IST

Ukrainian troops in Severodonetsk (File image)

Photo : AP

Kyiv: After weeks of fierce battle, Ukrainian troops on Friday were forced to retreat from the strategic city of Severodonetsk in Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. Russia's position in the region will now be further consolidated once Ukrainian troops are completely pulled back from the industrial hub in Luhansk. The development came shortly after Ukraine was granted candidate status by the European Union.

Russian troops shifted their focus to the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian forces repelled them from the capital city Kyiv and other regions in the first week of the invasion. Severodonetsk witnessed weeks of street battles between the two forces.

Governor of the Lugansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, said that Ukrainian forces in the city had received the order to withdraw, reported news agency AFP. "Remaining in positions that have been relentlessly shelled for months just doesn't make sense," Gaiday stated on Telegram. He further added that 90 percent of the city was already damaged.

Also Read: Russia captures two settlements around Severodonetsk; Ukrainian troops may retreat from Lysychansk to avoid encirclement, says regional governor.

Russian troops are eyeing to capture the twin cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk as it would give them control of the Lugansk region and help them launch further offensive in the Donbas region. Russia is now advancing towrads Lysychansk.

Russia also reportedly captured all the villages in the neighbouring areas of Zolote and Hirske. The information in this regard was given by Andrei Marochko, a spokesman for the Moscow-backed army of Lugansk.

Meanwhile, Moscow has intensified its shelling in the northern city of Kharkiv. As per AFP, Russian missiles hit Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute on Friday morning. The roof of the institute partially collapsed in the attack. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 25.

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