Ukraine’s strategic city Siversk captured by Russia.

In a major setback for Kyiv, the Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed the withdrawal of its forces from the strategic town of Siversk in the eastern Donetsk region. On Tuesday (December 23, 2025), the military announced that the decision was made to “preserve the lives of soldiers and maintain unit combat capability” in the face of significant Russian superiority in manpower and equipment.

The fall of Siversk is seen as a critical turning point, as the town served as a defensive shield for the key industrial hubs of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Although Russian officials claimed to have captured the city on December 11, Ukraine had denied those reports until now. Currently, the Ukrainian military is maintaining fire control over the city from the outskirts to slow down further Russian advances toward the Donbas heartland.