The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that the eastern city of Lyman in the Donetsk region has finally been “fully cleared” of all Russian troops.

On Friday Ukrainian forces had encircled all the main supply routes of the Russian stronghold of Lyman and on Saturday Ukrainian authorities said they have now entered the town of Lyman, and Moscow has been told if they want their 5,500 troops back then they will have to appeal.

The Ukrainian Presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak warned, “Today (Russia) will have to ask for an exit from Lyman. Only if, of course, those in (the) Kremlin are concerned with their soldiers.”

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Ukrainian forces recaptured the city on Saturday, and it has now been confirmed to be back under the control of the Ukrainians which was captured in May and marks yet another crushing defeat for Vladimir Putin.

The Russian armed forces or the Kremlin have not provided statements on Sunday over the recapture.

President Zelensky promised more quick successes in the Donbas, and said, “Over the past week, the number of Ukrainian flags in Donbas has increased.

“There will be even more a week’s time.”

The Ukrainian President declared the key eastern town of Lyman “fully cleared” of Russian forces on Sunday, which comes the day after Moscow claims their troops decided to withdraw/

“As of 1230 (0930 GMT), Lyman is fully cleared,” Zelensky said.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin congratulated Ukraine, he said, “We’re very encouraged by what we’re seeing right now.”

He added, “Without those routes, it will be more difficult. So, it presents a sort of a dilemma for the Russians going forward.”

Serhii Cherevatyi, a military spokesperson told public broadcaster Suspilne, “All the approaches and logistic routes of the enemy, through which they delivered ammunition and manpower, are in fact under fire control (of Ukraine).”

Cherevaty said on Saturday, “The Russian grouping in the Lyman area is surrounded.

“The settlements of Yampil, Novoselivka, Shandryholove, Drobysheve, Stavky have been liberated, stabilization measures are continuing there.”

The spokesman then went on to say that the exact number of Russians who are completely “surrounded” in the Lyman area will become known later after analysis, but the data indicated “somewhere around 5,000-5,500 troops.”

He added, “There, indeed, our data showed that the Russian group numbered in the region of 5,000-5,500. But active hostilities erased their combat strength, as well as some groups that tried to break through.”