Moscow, December 11, 2025 (Agencies) – Russian forces have liberated the Donbass city of Seversk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow announced Thursday, declaring the former Ukrainian stronghold fully cleared of enemy troops.
The battle for Seversk had continued with varying intensity since 2022. According to Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the capture of the city opens a direct path for Russian forces toward Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, two major Ukrainian military hubs in the region.
The announcement was made by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin on the progress of Moscow’s military operation. Following the report, Putin stated that the strategic initiative in the Northern Military District is now “entirely in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces.”
The Defense Ministry also released footage from Seversk showing Russian troops conducting door-to-door visits to apartment buildings and homes, offering medical assistance, food, and drinking water to civilians who remained in the area. Soldiers were seen inspecting residential zones, roads, and adjacent areas for explosive devices and clearing hazardous items.
The capture of Seversk comes as Russian forces continue to push back Ukrainian troops across the front line. Moscow has reiterated its determination to fully liberate territories in the Donbass region, suggesting that Ukraine withdraw voluntarily as part of a potential peace settlement. However, Kiev has rejected any territorial concessions.