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The city of Severodonetsk, in the far east of the country, is still under Ukrainian control, but has been subjected to continuous Russian bombardment for weeks.
Russian bombing has sparked a massive fire at a chemical plant in the eastern city of Severodonetsk, as ongoing fighting continues, according to a regional leader.
Serhii Haiday told Ukrainian television that Saturday’s fire broke out after dozens of tons of oil were spilled from damaged radiators at an nitrogen plant.
It was reported that hundreds of civilians were sheltering in the factory.
Severodonetsk It became the main goal of Russian progress in eastern Ukraine.
The fighting lasted more than three months. Russia’s initial attempt to seize major cities, including the capital, Kyiv, failed, and now seeks to capture the Luhansk and Donetsk regions – a vast industrial region known collectively as Donbass.
If Russia captures Severodonetsk and the twin city of Lysichansk, it may bring it closer to its goal, as He will take control of Luhansk.
In his statement, Heidi admitted that most of Severodonetsk was now in the hands of Russia. The Russian army claims that all residential areas of Severodonetsk are already under its control.
“The Azot chemical plant has been under heavy bombardment for hours,” Hayday said on Saturday.
It did not specify whether a number of victims were injured or whether the fire was put out.
Ukrainian officials appreciate it Up to 800 civilians are hiding in underground shelters in the nitrogen plant.
Haiday described the current situation in Severodonetsk as “difficult, but under control.”
“Our soldiers are victorious in street fighting, but, unfortunately, the artillery of the enemy is simply dismantling – floor by floor – the houses in which our troops are fortified.
“So when we drive the enemy out of the street, they start using their tanks and artillery to destroy the area from house to house,” said the regional leader in Luhansk.
Hayday added that he hopes that the Russian forces will do their best to control the city today or tomorrow.
image source, Getty Images
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his forces recaptured several villages in the southeastern regions.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Russian forces suffered “very large” losses in Donbass.
He added that Ukrainian forces had recaptured towns and villages in Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions in the southeast of the country.
Ukraine is asking its allies to send it more weapons, warning that Russia has at least ten times more artillery than it does.
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