Separatists Move Forward Into Debaltseve After Government Troops Retreat

Russian-backed separatists moved forward into Debaltseve on February 18 after Ukrainian troops retreated from the strategic town. The former government-held town lies almost halfway between the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and connects Ukraine’s supply route from Artemovsk.

The capture of Debaltseve marks the rebels’ latest expansion of territory in Ukraine’s east after announcing in January that they had captured Donetsk airport and the main highway connecting Donetsk and Luhansk.

This video shows the separatists’ movements within Debaltseve following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops. Credit: YouTube/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty