Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk in the face of Russian advance


KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine announced on Friday the withdrawal of its troops from the city of Sievierodonetsk, the scene of weeks of shelling and fighting, a major setback since the war began on February 24.

Troops have been ordered to move to new positions, said Serhiy Gaïdaï, the province’s governor, without giving further details.

“Staying in shattered positions for many months, just for the sake of staying there, doesn’t make sense,” he added on television.

“In many ways, this is where the fate of Donbass is decided,” Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky recently said of Sievierodonetsk.

“Our forces had to withdraw and carry out a tactical retreat because there was essentially nothing left to defend there. There was no town left and, secondly, we couldn’t allow them to be surrounded,” said Oleksander Moussiyenko, a Kyiv-based military analyst.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba played down the importance of the possible loss of other territories in Donbass.

“Putin wanted to occupy Donbass by May 9. This is June 24 and we are still fighting. Retreating after a few battles does not mean losing the war at all,” he said in an interview with the newspaper. Italian Corriere della Sera.

However, the minister was pessimistic about the prospects for peace talks in the short term.

“Only our military victory will convince Russia to engage in serious peace negotiations. Arms will secure the diplomatic path,” said Dmytro Kouleba.

kyiv is still open to the idea of ​​a meeting between the two presidents, during which “every point would be subject to dialogue”, he said.

The minister also reiterated kyiv’s calls for more weapons from the West, including rocket launchers and cannons, as well as more ammunition.

(Reporting Reuters; writing by Michael Perry and Angus MacSwan; French version Alizée Degorce, editing by Kate Entringer and Sophie Louet)



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