Ukrainian forces left Sievierodonetsk at night - journalist

The retreat of the Ukrainian military from Sievierodonetsk is a necessary and long-overdue decision.

Yuriy Butusov, a war correspondent and editor-in-chief of the Censor.Net news site, said this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"We left Sievierodonetsk. Tonight, Ukrainian units left part of the Sievierodonetsk industrial zone in an organized manner. On the section of the front where I was, we retreated under fire, but there are no losses. It is bitter to retreat, but this decision is long overdue. We will definitely return," Butusov wrote.

He noted that Ukrainian soldiers fought with dignity for the city and did more than possible in such extremely difficult conditions: without bridges and without pontoons. Every day of battles was heroic, he added.

Early on June 24, Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said that Ukrainian defenders had left Sievierodonetsk to take up new, more fortified positions.

According to him, Russian forces destroyed Sievierodonetsk almost completely, the critical infrastructure was destroyed, 90% of the city was damaged, and 80% of residential buildings will have to be demolished as they cannot be restored. Russian troops are advancing on Lysychansk from Toshkivka and Zolote.