Ukraine withdraws from Lysychansk

The Ukrainian army withdrew from the strategic city of Lysychansk over the weekend as Russia won a major victory by seizing control of the entire eastern Lugansk region.

The Ukrainian withdrawal followed weeks of bitter fighting and marked a crucial breakthrough for Moscow forces more than four months after their invasion and after diverting their focus from the capital Kyiv.

Leaders from dozens of countries and international organizations will meet in Switzerland on Monday to hammer out a "Marshall Plan" to rebuild Ukraine -- which should begin even as Russia's war effort rages on.

Lysyhansk, a key focus of the conflict, was the last stronghold in the Luhansk region of the eastern Donbass region, and Moscow's capture gives Russian forces an opportunity to advance on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in neighbouring Donetsk.

"Continuing to defend the city would have fatal consequences," the Ukrainian army said in a statement Sunday evening, citing Russia's numerical and machine superiority.

“In order to save the lives of the Ukrainian defenders, it was decided to withdraw.

"Unfortunately, steel will and patriotism are not enough to succeed - material and technical resources are needed."

The fall of Lysychansk comes after Russian forces captured their twin city of Severodonetsk last week after intense fighting.

In a speech late Sunday, Zelensky vowed Kyiv would keep fighting and ensure the military had "the most modern weapons".

"It requires a lot of negotiations, but we will ensure such a supply. Ukraine will reach the level where the fire superiority of the occupiers will be leveled.”

The last country to provide aid was Australia, whose Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged more military support - including armored vehicles and drones - at a meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday.

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