Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the eastern town of Siversk, conceding ground to Russian troops as Moscow continues its slow but steady push in the Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian military said the move was made "to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of units," noting that Russian forces held a "significant advantage in manpower."
The fall of Siversk brings Russian troops closer to the last remaining strongholds of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, which are still under Ukrainian control in the industrial heart of Donetsk. Prior to the invasion, the town had roughly 11,000 residents, but months of heavy fighting have left it virtually destroyed.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials reported that three people, including a young child, were killed during overnight Russian drone and missile strikes across several regions.
In a statement, the Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian troops continue "active offensive actions" in Siversk despite suffering heavy losses. The statement added that Ukrainian "defence forces had exhausted the enemy during the fighting for Siversk."
Russia now controls around 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of neighboring Luhansk, regions collectively known as Donbas. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned repeatedly that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from all of Donbas, rejecting compromise in any potential peace deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, has resisted pressure from US President Donald Trump to cede Donbas, insisting instead on strong security guarantees for Ukraine in any settlement.
Peace talks, involving separate US meetings with Ukrainian and Russian officials, continued over the weekend without any breakthrough. Zelensky said the US proposed a Christmas truce, which Russia declined.
Overnight, Ukraine faced a massive Russian missile and drone attack. The Ukrainian air force reported 635 drones and 38 missiles launched, of which 621 were intercepted.
In the central Zhytomyr region, a child died despite hospital efforts to save them, with five others injured, regional head Vitaly Bunechko said.
A separate strike in the Kyiv region killed a 76-year-old woman and injured three, according to Ukraine’s state emergencies service.
In western Ukraine, a 72-year-old died in Khmelnytskyy, regional administration head Serhiy Tyurin confirmed. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the attacks.
The Russian defence ministry said it targeted Ukrainian "military-industrial complex plants and supporting energy facilities," claiming all targets were hit.
In retaliation, Ukraine reportedly struck a petrochemical plant in Stravropol, southern Russia, causing large flames but no injuries or damage to homes, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said.
Residents near the frontlines described difficult nights. Oleksandr Chyrvonyi of Zaporizhzhia said, "I had four or five hours' sleep - there were constant notifications waking me up that drones and cruise missiles were coming." Power cuts lasting up to 10 hours daily are now common, he added, noting a "general feeling of the lack of civilisation" while trying to maintain a sense of normal life.
Ukraine’s energy operator warned of emergency power shutdowns across the country, urging citizens to conserve electricity. Acting Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov described the attack as the ninth large-scale strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year, leaving the Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytsky regions almost entirely without power. MP Oleksandr Merezhko said some areas may remain without electricity for days.
Some in Kyiv suspect the recent attacks are linked to Monday’s killing of a top Russian general, Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, in a car bomb explosion in Moscow. Russia has blamed Ukraine for the blast, while Kyiv has not commented.
