Almost all of Siversk is under Russian control, reserves needed to retake city – Ukrainska Pravda

The city of Siversk in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops have been actively pushing in since late October using dense fog, has almost completely been lost and regaining control of the city will require reserves.

Sources: Ukrainska Pravda source in a military administration body, two sources in brigades operating on and near the Siversk front

Quote from the administration: "The situation around Siversk is critical. The enemy is present across the whole city, except for the area beyond the Bakhmutka River for now. To restore the positions that have been lost, reserves need to be brought in. Does the corps carrying out tasks on this section of the front [the 11th Corps – UP] have them? No. Does the senior commander of the East Operational Grouping [Dmytro Bratishko – UP] have them? That is the big question. Whether the commander-in-chief will provide reserves and whether those reserves will be able to change anything in this situation is unclear.

Launching an offensive against the enemy without proper preparation is extremely difficult. At the very least, their advance must be halted from both flanks and suppressed with artillery fire."

Details: In recent weeks, the Ukrainian forces have largely controlled part of Siversk using drones rather than infantry. After Russian forces seized the heights to the north of the city, operating in Siversk, which lies in a lowland, has become almost impossible. Logistics have been extremely difficult.

The 54th brigade has been stationed in the city itself, with the 10th brigade south of Siversk in the area of Zvanivka and Sviato-Pokrovske villages.

In the best case scenario, as of 13 December the line of contact in Siversk runs along the Bakhmutka River. In this case, the larger eastern part of the city is fully under Russian control, while the smaller western part still contains some Ukrainian positions.

In a more pessimistic scenario, the entire city within its administrative boundary is fully controlled by Russian forces.

In screenshots from livestreams from Siversk obtained by Ukrainska Pravda, Russian troops can be seen moving around the city calmly, sometimes even without helmets or body armour.

Sources in the Ukrainian military also told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces have been observed south of Siversk, in Sviato-Pokrovske and Zvanivka villages.

Background: Earlier on 13 December, UK intelligence said that Russian ground forces continue attempts to push into Siversk, taking advantage of foggy weather, and may have taken up positions in the city centre.

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