Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern town of Siversk, as Russia continues its steady - albeit slow - advance.
The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday it acted to preserve the lives of our soldiers and the combat capability of units, adding that Russian forces had a significant advantage in manpower.
The capture of Siversk brings Russia closer to the last remaining fortress belt cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk still in Ukrainian hands in the industrial Donetsk region.
Earlier in the day, officials said three people - including a young child - were killed in massive overnight Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
In a statement, the Ukrainian military said Russian troops were continuing active offensive actions in the Siversk area despite significant losses.
Before the Russian invasion, Siversk had about 11,000 people. It has been virtually wiped out as a town during many months of heavy fighting.
Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighboring Luhansk. The regions are collectively known as Donbas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been under heavy pressure to cede all of Donbas to Russia during ongoing peace negotiations, but has so far rejected any territorial concessions.
The conflict has seen increasing violence, with overnight drone and missile attacks resulting in civilian casualties, highlighting the dire situation as winter approaches.
With temperatures expected to fall to as low as -7C on Wednesday, Ukraine's energy operator warned of emergency power shutdowns in all regions and urged people to use energy sparingly.
