NNA - Ukraine’s military said on Thursday its troops had pulled back from part of Chasiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region, a day after Russia said its forces had taken control of a district in the strategic town.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday its forces had taken control of the “Novyi” district, which lies to the west of Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal that runs through the eastern part of the town.

“It became impractical to hold the canal neighborhood after the enemy entered it, because it threatened the lives and health of our servicemen and the positions of our defenders were destroyed,” military spokesman Nazar Voloshyn told Ukrainian television.

“The command decided to pull back to more protected and prepared positions, but even there the enemy does not stop its active combat actions,” he said. -- Reuters

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