Ukraine's military confirmed its withdrawal from the eastern town of Seversk on 24/12, nearly two weeks after Russia's Ministry of Defense announced its Southern Group of Forces had seized the town.

Ukraine's General Staff stated that Russian forces maintained their advance due to a significant numerical advantage and relentless pressure from small assault groups in difficult weather conditions. The Ukrainian military affirmed the withdrawal aimed to preserve personnel and combat capability, adding that it had inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

Seversk, a town with approximately 10,000 residents before the conflict, remains under fire, according to the Ukrainian military. Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russian units within the town are being targeted, their supply lines disrupted, and maneuver operations prevented to hinder further advances.

Russian soldiers fire to shoot down a drone at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on 7/11. *Photo: AP*.

The Deep State military analysis group in Ukraine noted Russia has made slow but steady progress around Seversk this month, as part of a series of offensives along the entire Donbas front.

Seversk, covering 11 sq km and with a pre-war population of nearly 11,000, served as an eastern stronghold. It shielded Ukraine's "fortress belt" in Donetsk province, which includes Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka.

This belt extends approximately 50 km, featuring dense systems of trenches, anti-tank obstacles, and barbed wire. It represents a defense line fortified over the past decade, posing a significant challenge to Russian attacks.

With the fall of Seversk, Russian forces can advance closer to Slovyansk, a city about 30 km to the west. Slovyansk is considered the northern anchor of the "fortress belt" in Donbas, an area Russia demands Ukraine concede to end the conflict.

Location of Seversk and Ukraine's chain of fortress cities in Donetsk province. *Graphics: RYV*.

Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues around Pokrovsk, a former logistics hub for the Ukrainian army in the east. Ukrainian special forces in charge of the area reported that the country's military still controls the northern part of the city, while blocking Russian attempts to advance.

Ukraine's General Staff reported Russia had launched 29 attacks to advance in the Pokrovsk area recently. In the neighboring town of Mirnograd, Ukraine stated it continues to hold defensive lines and eliminate Russian forces in suburban areas.

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, Kyiv Post)