The General Staff of the Armed Forces reported that after heavy fighting for Lysychansk, the Defense Forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from their occupied positions and lines.

“After heavy fighting for Lysychansk, the Defense Forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from their occupied positions and lines,” the report says.

It was also noted that the continuation of the defense of the city would lead to fatal consequences.

“In the conditions of the multiple superiorities 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,” the General Staff said.

They also noted that 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 General Staff emphasized.

As previously reported, on the morning of July 3, Serhii Haidai, Head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, announced that the invaders are conducting a heavy shelling of the city, destroying the residential sector and infrastructure.

“In Sievierodonetsk, after a month of street fighting, some houses and administrative buildings still remained intact. Meanwhile, in Lysychansk, these administrative buildings were completely destroyed in a very short time,” he said.

The enemy also attacked Kramatorsk and Sloviansk with multiple rocket launcher systems. The mayor of Sloviansk, Vadym Lyakh, said that this was one of the biggest shellings in the city in recent times. It is known about 6 were dead and 15 were wounded.