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 ldquo;Novyirdquo; district, which lies to the west of Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal that runs through the eastern part of the town. ldquo;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,rdquo; military spokesman Nazar Voloshyn told Ukrainian television. ldquo;The command decided to pull back to more protected and prepared positions, but even there the enemy does not stop its active combat actions,rdquo; he said. -- Reuters   ==================