File image.
On December 10, the Russian military expanded its control in Siversk even further amid what appears to be a complete collapse of Ukrainian defenses inside the city.
The Yug [South] Group of Forces, which is reported to be in control of most of Siversk’s center and eastern part, is now about to clear the last Ukrainian pockets of resistance in the city’s western part. Russian troops have already crossed the Bakhmutka River, and they are currently battling Kiev forces in urban areas to the west.
At the same time, Russian troops also advanced to the northwest of Siversk, along the vital T-05-13 road to the south of Platovka and Dronovka.
The troops already cut the T-05-13 to the south of the city after storming Sviato-Pokrovske, which is located right on the roads, late last month.
Click to see full-size map.
Russian sources estimate that around 70% of Siversk is already in the hands of the Yug Group of Forces. However, some in Ukraine have already declared that the city has been lost.
Deputy Mariana Bezuglaya on December 9 publicly accused Ukraine’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi and his generals of “hiding and lying” about the real situation in Siversk. According to her, the city is actually lost, but the command prefers to pretend that “everything is under control”.
With the Yug Group of Forces pushing forward from the area between Platovka and Dronovka, and advancing in Sviato-Pokrovske it is highly unlikely that Ukraine will be able to organize any meaningful counter attack in Siversk.
The Russian military will likely announce the capture of the city before the end of the year. Ukrainian troops who are still fighting there could still withdraw, but on foot.
The Ukrainian collapse in Siversk will allow Russia to expand operations in two other directions in Donetsk, the city of Krasny Liman to the north and the city of Kostiantynivka to the east. Kiev forces do not appear to have the needed resources to defend these key cities. Thus, the collapse that took place in Siversk won’t be the last.
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