The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has officially announced the withdrawal of the garrison of Lysychansk, an industrial city in eastern Ukraine.
"In the conditions of the multiple superiority of the russian occupying forces in artillery, aviation, MLRS, ammunition and personnel, the continuation of the defense of the city would lead to fatal consequences. In order to preserve the lives of Ukrainian defenders, a decision was made to withdraw," said the statement.
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"We will be back and we will definitely win!" the statement goes.
The Ukrainian military continues to defend the rest of Luhansk region, though. According to the latest operational report, released by the General Staff an houn prior to the announcement, states russians were advancing towards the settlements mere kilometers away from the administrative border of the region.
It should be noted, the Luhansk region is one of the two territorial entities proclaimed by russia as independent states with a pro-russian separatist "government" a few days before the invasion. The other one is the Donetsk region, partly occupied by russians.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed it cannot be stated that the russian forces have taken full control over the city of Lysychansk yet, but admitted that in general, the situation in Donbas is the most difficult.
"Fighting continues on the outskirts of Lysychansk. Our task is to gain fire superiority. Today, our Armed Forces are doing everything they can. Accelerating the delivery of weapons will allow us to have fire superiority. Then we will put more pressure on Russia in this direction," he emphasized and said there is a risk of occupation of the entirety of this region.
"But you also have to understand that the situation can change on a daily basis. This was the case with many towns that were completely destroyed, control over them was gained by one side and then by the other," Zelensky noted.
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