Ukraine Loses Its Final Eastern Stronghold in Luhansk Region

  • Kyiv’s troops are withdrawn from Lysychansk to save lives
  • Pullout brings Vladimir Putin nearer to capturing Donbas

Ukrainian troops ride a tank on a road in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 21.

Photographer: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images

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Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, the last urban holdout under Kyiv’s control in the embattled Luhansk region as Vladimir Putin’s troops come closer to their goal of capturing the province.

“In the face of Russian occupation troops’ multiple advantage in artillery, aviation, active basefire systems, ammunition and personnel, continuing the city’s defense would lead to fatal consequences,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook late Sunday.