Russia penetrates deep into the city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine

Smoke rises from the city of Severodonetsk due to shelling there on May 26 – Photo: AFP

According to AFP news agency, on May 30, Sergiy Gaiday, governor of the Lugansk region in the eastern Donbass region Ukrainesaid Russian troops had moved closer to the center of the city of Severodonetsk, in eastern Ukraine, despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainian side.

“Russian forces are entering the city center of Severodonetsk. The fighting continues. The situation is very difficult” – Mr. Sergiy Gaiday informed.

He said Russian forces were entering the city from the suburbs and this was “disappointing news”.

According to Reuters news agency, Severodonetsk has become the main target of a Russian attack in the Donbass region.

Gaiday said the shelling left two civilians dead and five others wounded as Russian forces entered the southeast and northeast areas of the city.

Continuous shelling also took a toll on Ukrainian defenses in Severodonetsk, but their resistance also slowed the progress of the Russian offensive across the Donbass. Mr Gaiday described the fighting in the city of Severodonetsk as “very fierce”.

“About 90% of buildings are damaged. More than two-thirds of the total number of houses in the city of Severodonetsk have been completely destroyed. There is no longer a telecommunications system,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech on the internet. TV.

Zelensky added that control of Severodonetsk is now a “fundamental task” for Russian forces, so the Ukrainian side will “do all it can to stop this offensive”.

On May 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that “liberating” the Donbass – an industrial region that includes the Lugansk and Donetsk regions – is an “unconditional priority” for Russia.