Ukraine troops may retreat from eastern region as Russia advances
- A withdrawal could be needed to avoid capture by Moscow’s forces, which have entered Sievierodonetsk, the largest Donbas city still held by Ukraine
- A Ukrainian pullback could bring Putin closer to his goal of capturing the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in full
Ukrainian forces may have to retreat from their last pocket in the Luhansk region to avoid being captured, a Ukrainian official said, as Russian troops press an advance in the east that has shifted the momentum of the three-month-old war.
A withdrawal could bring Russian President Vladimir Putin closer to his goal of capturing eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions in full. His troops have gained ground in the two areas collectively known as the Donbas while blasting some towns to wastelands.
Luhansk’s governor, Serhiy Gaidai, said Russian troops had entered Sievierodonetsk, the largest Donbas city still held by Ukraine, after trying to trap Ukrainian forces there for days, though adding that Russian forces would not be able to capture the Luhansk region “as analysts have predicted”.
“We will have enough strength and resources to defend ourselves. However, it is possible that in order not to be surrounded we will have to retreat,” Gaidai said on Telegram.
Gaidai said 90 per cent of buildings in Sievierodonetsk were damaged with 14 high-rises destroyed in the latest shelling.