Ukrainian retreat from besieged eastern city seen as significant victory for Russia

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For weeks, Ukrainian forces have fought to hold onto a besieged eastern city, but now Kyiv has ordered its troops to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk.

The retreat is a significant victory for Russia as it aims to gain control of the entire Donbas region.

Russia’s defence ministry also said on Friday it had encircled up to 2,000 Ukrainian troops, including 80 foreign fighters, at Hirske. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

In its daily briefing on Friday, Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had “completely isolated” a group of Ukrainian units near Hirske and Zolote. It said it had encircled four Ukrainian battalions, an artillery group and a “detachment of foreign mercenaries.”

Redmond Shannon reports.