Governor: Ukraine orders evacuation of several eastern cities
Meanwhile, Russia announced the capture of another town in eastern Ukraine. "Units of the Central Group of Forces" have "liberated" Novoselivka Persha in the Donetsk region, the defense ministry in Moscow reported on Sunday in its daily update. The town is located about 20 kilometers from the city of Avdiivka, which Russia captured in February.
In recent months, Russia has gradually gained ground, since the Ukrainian counteroffensive failed in the summer of 2023 - and since the capture of Avdiivka, which served as a Ukrainian stronghold. The Donetsk region is one of the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022, despite not militarily controlling them.
Cities in Ukraine, such as Avdiivka, have been significantly impacted by the ongoing conflict. Despite international condemnation, Russia has continued to expand its control, with cities like Novoselivka Persha falling under its jurisdiction.
