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Russo-Ukrainian War: Russia is creating ‘a new Mariupol’ in Donbass

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia is creating 'a new Mariupol' in the Donbass - Photo 1.

The Russian army continuously bombarded Severodonetsk as it sought to gain full control of the Luhansk region. Photo AP

According to New Zealand’s Stuff news agency, the Russian military is constantly shelling Severodonetsk when they use the “burn earth” tactic (destroy, burn anything that stands in the way) as they did in Mariupol. to gain full control of the Lugansk region. Russia is also tightening the siege of Severodonetsk, whose pre-conflict population was about 100,000, as the protracted battle for the port city of Mariupol has come to an end.

Matthew Schmidt, an associate professor of national security and political science at the University of New Haven in Connecticut (USA), commented that Russian forces – which have not captured Kiev and are being pushed back in Kharkiv – the city Ukraine’s 2nd largest “needs to win”. As such, they are “throwing everything they have to the Donbass” and “want to win these tactical battles”. And the most pivotal battle is taking place in Severodonetsk.

According to Schmidt, the Russian military is trying to win in Severodonetsk by using firepower to overwhelm Ukraine. This could have dire consequences for civilians in Severodonetsk, as happened in Mariupol, Schmidt warned.

“They’re just attacking with artillery,” Schmidt said.

Lyudmila Denisova, Ukraine’s human rights inspector, also said that the city of Severodonetsk is becoming “a new Mariupol”.

“Every day the Russians are trying to break through Ukraine’s defenses. There is constant shelling, and unfortunately the Russian army has chosen the tactic of burning down the city of Severodonetsk. They are simply destroying the city. . Everywhere is under continuous shelling,” said Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Lugansk region appointed by Ukraine.

Haidai also said about 10,000 people, a tenth of the pre-conflict population, were still in Severodonetsk, and “almost often they have to stay in bomb shelters”. The governor added that efforts to evacuate civilians were still underway.

Meanwhile, Mr. Schmidt warned that, for Moscow’s forces, the risk in Severodonetsk was very high. A defeat here would “destroy morale and cause them to lose their strategic position”

Even a potential Russian victory in Severodonetsk could be accompanied by massive troop casualties and significant loss of expensive equipment. The Ukrainian forces were then able to return to the offensive position, thereby continuing to put pressure on Russia, Schmidt commented.

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