Moments ago from the Ukrainian General Staff:

“After heavy battles for Lysychansk, the Defense Forces of Ukraine were forced to leave the occupied positions and borders. / After heavy fighting for Lysychansk, the Defense Forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from their occupied positions and lines.

In the face of Russian occupation troops’ multiple advantage in artillery, aviation, active basefire systems, ammunition and personnel, continuing the city’s defense would lead to fatal consequences. In order to save the lives of Ukrainian defenders, the decision to leave was made.

We just gotta keep on fighting . Unfortunately, steel will and patriotism are not enough for success – material and technical resources are needed.

Defenders of Luhansk region and other regions of our country heroically perform their civil and military duties.

We will come back and win for sure!

In the conditions of the multiple superiority of the russian occupying forces in artillery, aviation, MLRS, ammunition and personnel, the continuation of the defense of the city would lead to fatal consequences. In order to preserve the lives of Ukrainian defenders, a decision was made to withdraw.

We continue the fight. Unfortunately, steel will and patriotism are not enough for success – material and technical resources are needed.

The defenders of Luhansk oblast and other oblasts of our country heroically perform their civil and military duties.

We will be back and we will definitely win!”

There were reportedly 2,500 Ukrainian troops in Lysychansk who may have been able to withdraw in the last 12 hours but it is not currently clear how many escaped amid Russian reports that they took prisoners. The next logical step would be to reinforce the at risk cities in Donetsk Oblast.