The situation in Severodonetsk has worsened after advances, according to the regional governor. This is a key city in the east and current epicenter for fighting with Russian troops.
"The fighting in Severodonetsk is intense. "Our defenders were able to repel the attack and liberate half the city. But the situation got worse," Sergiy Gaidai (guvernor of the Lugansk Region) told Ukrainian TV 1 1 with no further details.
He said that the bombardments on Severodonetsk have intensified and Lyssytchansk has been hit harder. Lyssytchansk is a neighboring town on the "highlands" and strategically placed to "hold the line for defense." He claimed that the Russians "are destroying everything with their scorched earth tactic", so that "there's nothing left to defend".
This industrial center is still the largest in Ukrainian hands in Lugansk. It is where Russian soldiers have been stepping up in recent weeks after being driven or withdrawing from other parts Ukraine, including the vicinity of Kiev.
The Russian attack on Severodonetsk initially repulsed the Ukrainians, but they gradually gained ground.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday, the Ukrainian troops were moving towards Lysychansk after suffering "critical losses" in fighting for Severodonetsk. (Up to 90% in some units).
Russian forces are trying to take over all of Donbass. This nickname is given to the Ukrainian regions Donetsk or Lugansk by the Russian army. They have been partly under the control of pro-Russian separatists from 2014.
