ITV News Europe Editor James Mates and Producer Jenny Klochko, www.itv.com
Jun 25, 2022
After weeks of heavy fighting in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine will begin withdrawing its troops to more defendable positions, the Governor of Luhansk announced on Friday.
Russia has controlled around 95% of the Luhansk region for more than a month now, but Ukraine's army has defended the key city of Sievierodonetsk and neighbouring Lysychansk fiercely.
The city now lies in all but ruins, with heavy shelling destroying most infrastructure, and footage from soldiers on the frontline giving an insight into just how close the street fighting has become.
The capture of Sievierodonetsk has been a key strategic goal for Russia throughout this war.
Alongside the capture of Lysychansk - which lies across the river and for now remains under Ukrainian control - it would allow them to take the entire Luhansk area, which, with Donetsk makes up the Donbas region.
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