Ukraine's forces will have to retreat from Sievierodonetsk, a regional governor said Friday, after weeks of fierce fighting against the Russians in the battleground eastern city.
“Ukrainian armed forces will have to retreat from Sievierodonetsk. They have received an order to do so,” Sergiy Gaiday, governor of Luhansk region which includes the city, said on Telegram.
“Remaining in positions that have been relentlessly shelled for months just doesn’t make sense.”
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The city has been “nearly turned to rubble” by continual bombardment, he said.
“All critical infrastructure has been destroyed. Ninety percent of the city is damaged, 80 percent (of) houses will have to be demolished,” he said.
Capturing Sievierodonetsk in the Donbas area has been a key goal of the Russians as they seek to seize a swath of eastern Ukraine.
Read more:
No more EU sanctions on Russia needed, negotiations better option: Hungary
Lithuania accuses Russia of propaganda battle over Kaliningrad
France seeks full gas reserves as Russia cuts supplies
