File image.
On December 9, the Russian military expanded its control inside Siversk, capturing more than 60-70% of the city, one of the largest in Donetsk, according to varying sources.
The Yug [South] Group of Forces first advanced in the center of Siversk, along the railway, from south to north, capturing most of this part of the city. Russian troops then broke through Ukrainian defenses in the southwestern part of the city, and began advancing from there into the urban areas in the western part.
In the days leading to the Ukrainian collapse within Siversk, the Yug Group of Forces blocked the T-05-13 road, which enters the city from the south and exits from the northeast, in two points.
Russian troops first stormed Sviato-Pokrovske which is located to the south of Siversk right on the key road. Kiev forces have already lost more than half of the settlement. More recently, the troops expanded their control to the south of Platonivka, located to the northeast of the city, reaching a wide section of the road which links up to the city of Krasny Liman further north.
With the T-05-13 cut in both directions, Ukrainian troops fighting inside Siversk could no longer receive sufficient supplies. Thus, defenses in the city center began to collapse.
Kiev forces have now largely retreated beyond the Bakhmutka River in the western part of Siversk. The river is, however, too shallow and narrow to pose a problem for the Yug Group of Forces. Russian troops will likely cross it within a few days.
Siversk will likely get captured by the Russian military before the end of the year. Ukraine seems incapable of mounting an effective counterattack anywhere near the city.
To the north, a similar situation is slowly taking shape around Krasny Liman. Most of the T-05-13 roads to the south of the city have been already captured by the Zapad [West] Group of Forces. Russian troops are now working to block the roads leading to the city from the north, mainly by advancing between Drobysheve, Yarova, and Sosnove.
Time is clearly not in favor of Ukraine in Donetsk. Kiev forces have already lost the city of Pokrovsk, Siversk is about to meet the same fate, and the Russian military is making gains in all other directions in the region. A major Ukrainian collapse may be nearing.
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