Russian troops leave crucial Ukraine city Lyman. Details here

Russia has withdrawn its forces from key Ukraine city of Lyman, according to reports. As part of a counteroffensive that saw Kyiv regain significant areas of territory beginning in September, Ukrainian forces had crossed the Oskil River.

Lyman has been a critical location for ground communications and logistics on the Russian front line.

With that obstacle surmounted, Ukraine might be able to advance farther into the occupied Luhansk area, one of the four regions that Russia annexed on Friday following a widely criticized vote in a referendum under duress.


It would be one of Russia's worst military setbacks since the invasion's commencement on February 24 if Ukraine managed to retake it.


After encircling thousands of Russian soldiers, Ukrainian forces made it to the entrance of Lyman's eastern bastion.

It follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement yesterday that Donetsk and three other occupied neighborhoods would be considered a part of Russia.

Following a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive last month, Russian soldiers have pulled back from much of the area. This attack is taking place in Kharkiv's Kupiansky neighborhood.

In late September, twenty civilian deaths in the grey zone between conflicted territory in eastern Ukraine were confirmed by Ukraine's SBU security service on Saturday.

FAQs

How many soldiers were stationed at Lyman?
Up to 5,000 Russian soldiers had been stationed at Lyman.

Is the region now safe from shelling?
The Russian side continues shelling the city and its surroundings despite the withdrawal.