Russian troops are now in control of the city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine following weeks of heavy Russian shelling that has reduced the city mostly to ruins, its mayor said.

“The Russian forces have fully occupied Severodonetsk, our troops have retreated to more prepared positions,” Oleksandr Stryuk told Ukrainian TV.

During the larger Battle of Donbas of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sievierodonetsk became the center of intense fighting and media attention.

In May, Russian forces made Sievierdonetsk its major focus in an attempt to capture Luhansk Oblast. On 31 May, Stryuk stated that Russian forces had seized control of half of the city.

By June 14, Russian forces had control of 80% of the city and cut off all escape routes.

On Friday, the Ukrainian government ordered its forces to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk. (ILKHA)