Ukraine Pulls Back from Siversk Amid Russian Advance
Ukrainian forces have retreated from the eastern town of Siversk as Russian troops continue their advance, which is slow but persistent. The Ukrainian military said the move was meant to protect soldiers and maintain the effectiveness of its units, noting that Russian forces had a numerical advantage in the area.
Siversk’s capture brings Russia closer to the remaining Ukrainian-held towns of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. The town, once home to about 11,000 people, has been almost completely destroyed after months of heavy fighting. Although Russia claimed control of Siversk two weeks ago, Ukraine previously denied the claim.
Russian Strikes and Casualties
Overnight, Russia launched a massive barrage of drones and missiles across several Ukrainian regions. According to Ukraine’s air force, 635 drones and 38 missiles were fired, with 621 intercepted.
The strikes left at least three civilians dead, including a young child in Zhytomyr, a 76-year-old woman in Kyiv, and a 72-year-old in Khmelnytskyy. Several others were injured. Authorities said Polish fighter jets were scrambled to respond to some of the incoming attacks in western Ukraine.
Russia stated it targeted military-industrial facilities and energy infrastructure, claiming all designated targets were hit. Meanwhile, Ukraine reportedly struck a petrochemical plant in Stavropol, Russia, causing a large fire but no injuries or damage to nearby homes.
Civilian Impact and Energy Crisis
Life near the frontlines remains difficult. Residents in Zaporizhzhia reported constant alarms from drones and cruise missiles, with electricity now available for only about 10 hours per day. Many described a sense of normal life being impossible, worsened by cold temperatures.
Ukraine’s energy authorities warned of emergency power shutdowns across the country, urging people to conserve energy. Some regions, including Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytsky, have lost almost all power, with outages expected to last several days in some areas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukrainian troops leave Donbas, refusing any compromise. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to reject territorial concessions, insisting on solid security guarantees.
Peace talks led by the United States have so far yielded no breakthrough. A proposed Christmas truce was rejected by Russia. Some analysts believe the recent Russian attacks may be linked to the killing of a senior Russian general in Moscow, which Russia has attributed to Ukraine.
