Siversk, Ukraine – Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the embattled town of Siversk in eastern Donetsk, following intense fighting with Russian troops. The move comes as both sides negotiate potential arrangements for a “demilitarised” or “free economic zone” in the region, according to Ukrainian and US officials.

Ukrainian Military Withdraws to Preserve Lives

In a Telegram statement on December 24, Ukraine’s General Staff explained that Russian forces held a significant advantage in both manpower and equipment. Constant small-unit assaults in difficult weather forced the Ukrainian military to withdraw to preserve soldiers’ lives and maintain combat readiness.

Despite the retreat, Ukrainian forces inflicted heavy losses on Russian units, and Siversk remains within fire control range, with Ukrainian troops reportedly blocking enemy units to prevent further advances.

Russian Occupation of Siversk Confirmed

Russian forces have reportedly taken control of Siversk and the nearby village of Hrabovske near the Russian border, according to the DeepState military monitoring site. Russian Lieutenant General Sergei Medvedev had claimed control of Siversk on December 11, though Ukrainian officials initially denied the reports.

Siversk, with a pre-war population of 10,000, now hosts only a few hundred civilians due to ongoing fighting. The town is strategically important, shielding Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the key bastions of Ukraine’s northern “fortress belt”.

Donetsk at the Center of Territorial Dispute

The fall of Siversk highlights the larger struggle in Donetsk, one of three Ukrainian regions at the center of Russia’s territorial claims.

• Russia controls approximately 80% of Donetsk, all of Luhansk, and Crimea (annexed in 2014).
• Other regions under partial Russian control include Kherson, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.

A 28-point US-backed peace plan suggests recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as de facto Russian, including by the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that US proposals would require Ukraine to withdraw forces from Donetsk to establish a free economic zone, or what Russia describes as a demilitarised zone.

Ongoing Violence Amid Holiday Season

The Ukrainian military reported another “massive attack” by Russian forces on December 23, with at least three civilians killed, including a four-year-old girl. Russian regions near the border also suffered casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes.

Pope Leo expressed disappointment that a ceasefire was not observed during Christmas, calling on “people of goodwill” to allow at least 24 hours of peace worldwide. Most Christians in Ukraine and Russia celebrate Christmas on January 7, aligning with Orthodox tradition.

The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has now continued for almost three years, despite rare pauses such as a 30-hour unilateral Russian truce last Easter.