Russia Declares Full Control Over Siversk Amidst Ongoing Ukrainian Resistance

On Thursday, Russia announced that its forces had gained complete control over Siversk, a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region where hostilities have escalated recently, while Ukraine disputed the assertion, claiming the important town is still under its control.

The Russian military has been progressively advancing through eastern Ukraine, making territorial gains against outmatched and outgunned Ukrainian troops, with some of the most intense clashes occurring in Donetsk.

During a televised meeting with military leaders, General Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian General Staff, informed President Vladimir Putin that Moscow’s forces had taken Siversk.

Putin remarked that the Russian army in Ukraine is «confidently advancing across the entire front,» expressing gratitude to commanders and soldiers for their efforts in combat.

Last month, Putin indicated that his forces were making progress toward Siversk, which had a population of around 11,000 prior to the conflict, asserting that the Russian offensive was «virtually unstoppable.»

The Ukrainian eastern command has refuted Russia’s claims of capturing Siversk, asserting that the city «remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.»

In a Facebook post, it stated, «The enemy is attempting to penetrate Siversk with small groups, taking advantage of adverse weather conditions, but most of these units are being eliminated at the approaches.»

Siversk is situated approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) east of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the last two major cities still held by Ukraine in the Donbas, an industrial and mining area that is a target for Moscow.

Earlier this month, Russia claimed to have seized Pokrovsk, a former transport hub also located in Donetsk, but Kyiv insists that fighting continues in the city.

Putin has indicated that Moscow is prepared to continue its campaign to secure the remainder of the territory it claims in eastern Ukraine if Kyiv does not concede it as part of any peace agreement.

Since Russia commenced its offensive in February 2022, eastern Ukraine has faced devastation, with tens of thousands of casualties and millions displaced from their homes.