Ukraine applies the tactic of attrition in its fight against Russian troops. Severodonetsklast major city under kyiv control Lugansk and where it tried to hold on in the industrial zone until the advent of heavy Western weapons.
“We hope to buy time until there are enough weapons from our partners to be able to launch an effective counterattack,” the presidential adviser said. Mykhailo Podoliak.
According to Podolyak, Ukraine finally “parity“In artillery with Russia to fight their forces with better results and reduce the number of casualties in their own ranks.
fight to the end
Meanwhile, Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the war in the Donbas, as it is a key city for control of the entire Lugansk region, where Russian troops plan to continue the offensive in neighboring lands. Donetsk.
According to a British intelligence report, Russia “regain control of most“Although little progress has been made in attempts to encircle a wider area from the north and south, the city’s.
Clashes are currently centered in the industrial area on the outskirts of the city, particularly around the Nitrogen chemical factory, where an undetermined number of Ukrainian soldiers and several hundred civilians have barricaded themselves, used as a military force according to Moscow. “live shield” by Ukrainian “nationalists”.
Mayor of Severodonetsk, Oleksandr Stryuk, In turn, he warned it would be “very difficult” to save the city if the Russians took full control.
second Azovstal
according to separatists self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s RepublicBefore the conflict began, Russian troops blocked the territory of the factory specializing in the production of ammonia and compound mineral fertilizers.
Russia’s “ambassador” in Lugansk, Rodion Miroshnik He assured Telegram today that there were “a small number” of Ukrainian soldiers trying to contact pro-Russian militias to discuss their possible departure from the facility.
According to the separatist representative, Ukrainian troops “to present some conditions” before leaving the factory, something the militia rejected.
“I was told that no conditions would be accepted. They must lay down their weapons and surrender.”aforementioned.
About a thousand civilians also took refuge in Azot. Apti AlaudinovChechen leader’s adviser, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Alaudinov said that this situation complicates the work. Russian forces operation on the plant.
Today, he added, Russia controls “100%” of Severodonetsk settlements, and “between 15% and 20% of the industrial area” of the city.
Slovyansk under the spotlight
According to Ukrainian sources, separatists About the start of the Russian offensive SlovyanskThe Ukrainian fortress in Donetsk, where the 2014 pro-Russian uprising began, does not correspond to reality.
“This is not true. Our Armed Forces remain on the defensive and the enemy has not advanced,” he said. Pavlo Kirylenko, Governor of Donetsk.
He admitted that the target was Sloviansk and its neighbors. KramatorskThe Ukrainian military center in Donetsk is undoubtedly the two most important Russian targets You can live in the region and the fate of other cities in the battle zones.
“The enemy is destroying all the cities of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. They will not change their tactics. (…) We understand that they are in large numbers, at least they will do everything to claim that they have entered these cities. But this is our land And we will resist as long as necessary until we eliminate them all,” he said.
Earlier, militias Donetsk claimed that the struggle for control of Sloviansk, about 80 kilometers west of Severodonetsk, has already begun.
American Institute for war work The ISW also stated that Russian forces had made “light progress” north of Sloviansk, but they thought they would have difficulty “raiding the city” due to the tactical difficulties of crossing the Severski Donets River.
Russia moves away from capital punishment
Russia this Friday turned away from the death sentences of three foreign soldiers, two British and one Moroccan, by a court of Donetsk separatists, refusing to be treated as “prisoners of war”. “mercenaries“Y”terrorists“.
The Russian Foreign Minister said, “All trials are carried out according to the legislation of the Donetsk People’s Republic, because the crimes in question were committed in those lands. I do not interfere with the work of the judicial system of the republic.” Sergey Lavrov.
Your spokesperson Maria Zakharovafor his part, he pointed out that “despite the statements of the British authorities, they were mercenaries, not prisoners of war”.
According to Zakharova, United Kingdom so far it has not formally protested the punishment of its citizens to Russian or separatist authorities and has “showed no initiative” in this regard.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ukraine In response, he confirmed that he would spare no effort to secure the release of the three soldiers.
The spokesperson of the ministry noted that all foreigners fighting on the territory of Ukraine as part of the Kyiv Armed Forces are Ukrainian military personnel. Oleh Nikolenko’s photo.