Russia already controls most of the Donbass . region

TASS news agency quoted Russian Defense Minister General Sergey Shoigu as saying that about 97% of the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk republic is under the control of Russian forces, the control zone in the self-proclaimed republic of Donetsk is also under the control of Russian forces. significantly expanded after Moscow carried out the second phase of its special military operation in eastern Ukraine (Donbass).

“A significant part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the left bank of the Seversky Donets is already under the control of Russian forces, including the towns of Krasny Liman and Svyatogorsk and 15 other densely populated local areas. “, Minister Shoigu said during an online meeting with defense officials on June 7.

The Russian Defense Minister also mentioned that Russian forces control densely populated areas such as Studenok, Yarovaya, Kirovsk, Yampol and Drobyshevo.

Regarding the military situation in Severodonetsk, General Shoigu said that Russian forces have completely controlled the residential areas inside this strategic city, other offensive points are being extended towards the city of Popasnaya, a another city in the Lugansk Oblast.

“The settlements of the city of Severodonetsk are already in the hands of the Russian military. The expansion of the control zone in the industrial zones and the countryside around Severodonetsk is still going on. We are developing a new offensive point. towards the city of Popasnaya”, Minister Shoigu said.

On the Ukrainian side, Oleksandr Stryuk, head of the Severodonetsk military government, said the situation in this city was “very difficult”.

Stryuk said that Russia is sending more forces to Severodonetsk to take full control of the city.

Severodonetsk is a city located in the Lugansk Oblast, more than 140 km from the Russian border. The city has a strategic location, located near the Seversky Donets river, which cuts through the Donbass region, and is one of the last stops of Ukrainian forces in the Lugansk province.

Controlling Severodonetsk would give Russia a springboard to attack the city of Lysychansk on the other side of the Seversky Donets River, as well as ensure control of the entire Lugansk province. Once Lugansk is captured, Russia can push its forces to the southwest of Donetsk and accomplish its goal of “liberating the Donbass”.

According to the assessment of the British Ministry of Defense, Russia can completely control Lugansk in the next two weeks.