Ukrainian Forces Withdraw from Key Donetsk Position
Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the strategic town of Siversk in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, marking another significant territorial gain for Russian forces as the war approaches its third year. The Ukrainian military announced the withdrawal on December 23, 2025, citing the need to preserve soldiers' lives and combat capability in the face of overwhelming Russian numerical superiority.
Strategic Significance of Siversk
Siversk, a modest town with a pre-war population of approximately 10,000-11,000 residents, served as a crucial defensive position protecting the larger Ukrainian-held cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Located just 30 kilometers east of Sloviansk, Siversk had been a persistent obstacle to Russian advances toward these remaining major urban centers in the Donbas region.
'The invaders were able to make progress thanks to a large numerical advantage, the deployment of small assault groups, and difficult weather conditions,' stated the Ukrainian military leadership in their official announcement. 'To save lives and equipment, it was decided to withdraw our own military personnel.'
Months of Intense Urban Combat
The battle for Siversk had raged for months, with intense urban combat reducing much of the town to rubble. According to Al Jazeera's reporting, Russian forces claimed victory in November, but Ukrainian troops maintained control of the western part of the town until the final withdrawal in late December.
The Ukrainian military emphasized that despite the retreat, they inflicted substantial losses on Russian forces. 'The Russians suffered significant losses,' noted military analysts. 'Ukrainian forces continue to strike Russian positions in Siversk and target supply lines to the city from the air.'
Broader Context of the Conflict
Russia's capture of Siversk represents the latest in a series of incremental gains in eastern Ukraine. According to BBC reporting, Moscow currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including virtually all of the Luhansk region and over 80% of the Donetsk region. The Russian advance has been slow but persistent, taking three and a half years to advance just 12 kilometers from Lysychansk to Siversk.
Approximately 135 kilometers southwest of Siversk lies the city of Pokrovsk, which also fell largely under Russian control earlier this month. Fighting continues in that area, particularly north of the city center, and near the town of Myrnohrad east of Pokrovsk.
Peace Negotiations and Diplomatic Developments
The military developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly prepared preliminary proposals for ending the war, and according to The New York Times, has proposed establishing a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine as part of peace negotiations.
'The United States and Ukraine have reached consensus on key issues aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia,' reported Associated Press, though significant territorial disputes remain unresolved.
Humanitarian and Strategic Implications
The fall of Siversk has significant implications for both military strategy and civilian populations. The town, once home to thousands, now lies largely destroyed with only a fraction of its pre-war population remaining. According to Wikipedia, Siversk's economy was traditionally based around the mining and processing of dolomite, an industry now completely devastated by the conflict.
Military analysts note that while Siversk's capture brings Russian forces closer to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, these larger cities represent more formidable defensive positions for Ukrainian forces. The withdrawal from Siversk follows a pattern of Ukrainian tactical retreats to preserve forces for more defensible positions, a strategy that has characterized much of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
As the war continues into 2026, the capture of Siversk represents both a tactical victory for Russia and a sobering reminder of the conflict's grinding, destructive nature. With peace negotiations ongoing but territorial disputes unresolved, the future of eastern Ukraine remains uncertain as both military and diplomatic battles continue to unfold.