Russian Forces Gaining Foothold in Strategic Sievierodonetsk City: Ukrainian MoD

Russian troops have gained control of most of Sievierodonetsk, a strategically important city in Ukraine’s east.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook today that the “aggressor carried out assault operations in the northern, southern, and eastern districts of the town of Sievierodonetsk.”

Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai wrote on Telegram that “Some Ukrainian troops have retreated to more advantageous, pre-prepared positions.”

Sievierodonetsk is one of two provinces in the Donbas.

Gaidai says nearly all critical infrastructure in the city had been destroyed and 60% of residential property damaged beyond repair. He added that Russian shelling had made it impossible to deliver aid or evacuate people.

Gaidai alleged Russian forces struck a tank containing nitric acid at a chemical plant in Severodonetsk and urged civilians to not come out of their shelters.

"We can say already that a third of Sievierodonetsk is already under our control," Russia's TASS state news agency quoted Leonid Pasechnik, the leader of the pro-Russia Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), as saying.

A Russian victory in Sievierodonetsk and its twin city of Lysychansk would bring full control of Luhansk, which is one of two eastern provinces Moscow claims on behalf of separatists.