Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern town of Siversk, as Russia continues its steady - albeit slow - advance.
The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday it acted 'to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of units', adding that Russian forces had a 'significant advantage in manpower'.
The capture of Siversk brings Russia closer to the last remaining 'fortress belt' cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk still in Ukrainian hands in the industrial Donetsk region.
Earlier in the day, officials said three people - including a young child - were killed in massive overnight Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
In a statement, the Ukrainian military said Russian troops were continuing 'active offensive actions' in the Siversk area 'despite significant losses'.
Before the Russian invasion, Siversk had about 11,000 people. It has been virtually wiped out as a town during many months of heavy fighting.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The regions are collectively known as Donbas.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Donbas or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war.
With temperatures expected to fall to as low as -7C on Wednesday, Ukraine's energy operator warned of emergency power shutdowns 'in all regions' and urged people to use energy 'sparingly'.
Overnight, Russia launched 635 drones and 38 missiles affecting multiple regions of Ukraine. Local authorities reported fatalities and injuries among civilians, emphasizing the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict.
As peace negotiations led by US officials continue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains a firm stance against any territorial concessions, demanding robust security guarantees instead.
