Ukraine opens the way for troops to withdraw from the last stronghold in Luhansk to avoid being surrounded by Russia

Ukraine’s troop withdrawal means Russia is closer to its goal of taking full control of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in Ukraine, according to Global News.

The Russian army and local separatist forces have captured most of the area in the two regions collectively known as the Donbass.

The governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Gaidai, said that Russian troops had entered Sievierodonetsk, the largest city of Donbass still held by Ukraine, after trying to encircle Ukrainian forces there for several days. Mr. Gaidai said that 90% of buildings in the city were damaged.

“The Russians will not be able to capture the Luhansk region in the coming days as analysts have predicted,” Gaidai announced on Telegram, referring to Sievierodonetsk and the twin city of Lysychansk on the other side of the Siverskiy Donets river.

“We have the strength and resources to defend ourselves. However, most likely, in order not to be surrounded we will have to retreat,” Gaidai added.

Pro-Russian separatist forces said on May 27 that they now control Lyman, a railway hub west of Sievierodonetsk.

Ukraine admits that Russia has captured most of Lyman, but its forces are blocking the enemy’s advance to Sloviansk, a city half an hour’s drive to the southwest.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was defending its territory “to the extent that our current defense resources allow”.

Ukraine’s military said it repelled eight Russian attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk on Friday, destroying several enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

“If the Russians think that Lyman and Sievierodonetsk will be theirs, they are wrong. Donbass is Ukrainian,” Zelensky said in a speech on the evening of May 27.