Russia could not advance quickly in Sievierodonetsk, pushed back to a defensive position in Kherson

A howitzer of pro-Russian forces opens fire in the Lugansk region, Ukraine – Photo: REUTERS

Russia is expanding its military campaign across the Donbass region, in eastern Ukraine.

If Moscow were to capture the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk on the banks of the River Siverskyi Donets, Moscow could effectively control Lugansk and allow the Kremlin to declare victory after more than three months of conducting a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

The leader of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), Leonid Pasechnik, told TASS that a third of the city of Sievierodonetsk was “under their control” but progress was slower than expected.

TASS said that the Russian advance was hindered by several large chemical plants in the Sievierodonetsk region.

Kiev said its forces had pushed the Russians back to defensive positions in Andriyivka, Lozove and Bilohorka – villages on the southern bank of the Inhulets river, which form the boundary of Kherson province to the south. Ukraine, where Moscow is trying to consolidate control.

Reuters has not been able to verify statements from either side at this time.

On May 30, the European Union (EU) agreed to partially ban Russian oil, after a late-night meeting of the leaders of the 27 member countries.

The ban will immediately affect more than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, which includes all seaborne oil from Russia. This will cut off a large Russian financial source from oil and is the maximum pressure on Russia to end the hostilities in Ukraine.

However, the EU agreed to give Hungary, which is heavily dependent on Russian crude oil, an exception with the bloc’s oil ban.