HistoryData
war2022

Military engagement during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

January 1, 2022

The fall of Sievierodonetsk in June 2022 gave Russian forces full control of Luhansk Oblast, marking a major territorial gain in eastern Ukraine.

Quick Facts

Year
2022
Category
war

Key Facts

City captured by Russia
25 June 2022
Buildings destroyed or damaged
~90%
Russian control of most of city
By 14 June 2022
Ukrainian retreat ordered
24 June 2022
Subsequent city lost
Lysychansk, early July 2022

By the Numbers

25
City captured by Russia
90
Buildings destroyed or damaged
14
Russian control of most of city
24
Ukrainian retreat ordered

Location

Map of Sievierodonetsk, UkraineMap of Sievierodonetsk, UkraineSievierodonetsk, Ukraine

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

By May 2022, Sievierodonetsk and neighbouring Lysychansk were the last significant areas of Luhansk Oblast under Ukrainian control. Russian forces concentrated their offensive efforts in the Donbas region, pushing to consolidate control over the entire oblast as part of the broader eastern Ukraine campaign following the 2022 invasion.

Event

Russian and pro-Russian separatist forces conducted fierce urban combat in Sievierodonetsk through May and June 2022. By 14 June, Russian forces controlled most of the city and had cut off most escape routes. On 24 June, Ukrainian commanders ordered a withdrawal, and the city fell completely the following day, with around 90% of its buildings destroyed or damaged.

Consequence

The capture of Sievierodonetsk allowed Russian forces to immediately advance on Lysychansk, which fell in early July 2022, giving Russia full effective control of Luhansk Oblast. The battle was noted as one of the bloodiest of the war and represented a significant Ukrainian territorial loss in the eastern campaign.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Russia and pro-Russian separatists

Side B

1 belligerent

Ukraine
Outcome
Russian victory; Sievierodonetsk captured on 25 June 2022

Timeline Context

Timeline around 202220222019202020212023202420252022 FIFA World Cup — 22nd FIFA World Cup2022 Winter Olympics — 24th edition of Winter Olympics, in Beijing, ChinaEurovision Song Contest 2022 — 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest2021 Africa Cup of Nations — 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations2022 Kazakh unrest — series of protests in Kazakhstan that began on 2 January 2022 after an LPG price increaseMahsa Amini protests — Iranian protest movement in 2022–20232022 Formula One World Championship — 73rd running of the Formula One World ChampionshipDeaths in 2022 — list of notable deaths in 2022battle-of-sievierodonetsk-2022