Ukrainian army officially withdraws from Seversk: Details of the developments
In a notable development on the eastern front, the Ukrainian army on Tuesday the withdrawal of its military units from the town of Seversk in the east of the country, after weeks of fierce fighting and the confirmation by Russian forces of their control over the town in December.
This difficult decision came according to a statement issued by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army via the Telegram platform, where the military leadership justified the move as being primarily aimed at "preserving the lives of our soldiers and the combat capabilities of our units," noting that the Ukrainian defenders were forced to withdraw to new, more fortified defensive positions.
Reasons for the field retreat
The Ukrainian command explained that the Russian soldiers were able to achieve this advance thanks to their large numerical superiority in personnel and equipment, in addition to a strategy of continuous pressure through small attack groups that exhausted the Ukrainian defenses, in conjunction with harsh weather conditions that made the task of supply and defense difficult.
Field reports indicate that Russian forces continued their offensive operations with high fire intensity despite suffering heavy casualties, forcing Ukrainian forces to make the decision to withdraw in order to avoid a complete encirclement.
The strategic importance of Seversk and the repercussions of its fall
The withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Seversk is not merely the loss of a small town; it carries profound strategic implications for the course of the battles in the Donbas region. For years, Seversk had served as the first line of defense and the stronghold preventing Russian forces from advancing toward the remaining major strongholds in the Donetsk region.
With the fall of this town, the way is open for Russian forces to advance on the major cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk , the main industrial and administrative centers still under Ukrainian control in the region. Military analysts believe that capturing Seversk could allow the Russians to consolidate their fronts and better secure their supply lines for future, larger-scale offensives.
Background of the battle and widespread destruction
Less than two weeks ago, Russia announced it had secured control of Seversk, which had been almost completely destroyed by relentless artillery and air bombardment. The town, which had a population of about 11,000 before the war, is now reduced to rubble, reflecting the "scorched earth" policy that often accompanies urban battles in this conflict.
The intense Russian offensive on the town began from three main axes in September 2025, and the attacking forces succeeded in making substantial breaches in the local Ukrainian defenses during November and December, paving the way for this final fall.
Map of control and efforts to end the war
This development comes as Russian forces have accelerated their advance into Ukrainian territory in recent months. It is estimated that Russia now occupies approximately 19% of Ukraine's total land area, with one of their most significant recent gains being the capture of Pokrusvsk, a vital transportation hub and logistical supply junction.
According to an analysis by Agence France-Presse based on data from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington, the Russian army made its biggest advance on the front in more than a year last November, putting enormous pressure on the Ukrainian leadership and its Western allies.
Amid these rapidly escalating military developments, complex diplomatic negotiations are taking place behind the scenes, with both Kyiv and Moscow negotiating separately with the United States regarding a proposed American plan to end the war, in an attempt to find a political way out of this conflict that has drained both sides.
