Severodonetsk fell to Russia after one of the bloodiest battles of the war

KYIV / POKROVSK — Russian troops have completely occupied Sieviero Donetsk, the mayor of eastern Ukraine said on Saturday. More than a month after weeks of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Ukraine called the withdrawal from the city "tactical withdrawal" in order to fight from the hills of Lysychans'k on the other side of the Donets River. Pro-Russian separatists said Moscow troops are currently attacking Lysychans'k.

The collapse of Severodonetsk, once home to more than 100,000 people, was Russia's greatest victory since it occupied Mariupol's shipping last month. It will change the eastern battlefield a few weeks after the great benefits of Moscow's firepower were only slow profits.

Russia now wants to push the banks on the other side to occupy more land, while Ukraine pays Moscow to occupy the ruins of a small city, Russia. Weeks hoping to leave the army vulnerable to counterattacks.

"The city is now under complete occupation of Russia. They are trying to establish their own order, as far as I know they have appointed a commander of some sort," Olexander said. The mayor of Strike said on national television.

Ukraine's military intelligence director, Kirilo Budanov, told Reuters that Ukraine would "tactically reorganize" by withdrawing troops from Severodonetsk to hills across the river. "I said that we are implementing.

"Russia uses the tactics used in Mariupol. It wipes the city from the surface of the earth," he said. "Given the conditions, it is no longer possible to maintain defense in the ruins and open fields. Therefore, Ukrainian troops are leaving for higher ground to continue their defense operations."

Russia's Interfax news agency has represented pro-Russian separatist fighters, saying that Russian and pro-Russian troops have crossed the river into Rishichansik, where fighting is taking place in urban areas. Was quoted.

'IT WAS HORROR'

In the Ukrainian-owned town of Pokrovsk, Elena, an elderly woman in a wheelchair in Lysychans'k, has dozens of refugees. I was inside. She arrived by bus from the front line.

"Lysychans'k, last week was horror. I couldn't stand it anymore yesterday. Thanks to the soldiers who evacuated us from there. Otherwise it would have been. "She said. "If I die, I've already told my husband, bury me behind the house."

The largest in Europe since World War II entered its fifth month Due to the land dispute, Russian missiles also poured into the western, northern and southern parts of the country.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Puttin sent tens of thousands of troops across the border, killing thousands and unleashing a conflict that eradicated millions. It also caused an energy and food crisis that has shaken the world economy.

Russia shifted its focus to the eastern territory of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts after the defeat of Russian troops in the assault on the capital Kyiv in March. .. Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk were the last major Ukrainian fortresses in Luhansk.

Russians have recently crossed the river by force and are advancing towards Lysychans'k, threatening to surround Ukrainians in the region.

Russia may see the capture of Severodonetsk as evidence of a switch from an early failed attempt at the "Lightning War" to a relentless attack using eastern artillery.

Moscow states that Luhansk and Donetsk, which have been supporting the uprising since 2014, are independent countries. It requires Ukraine to ceded the entire territory of the two states to a separatist government.

Ukrainian officials have never had great hopes of holding Severodonetsk indefinitely, but they have run out of Russian troops and invaded counter-strikes. Wanted to pay high enough to be vulnerable.

Ukrainian top general Valerie Zargini wrote that he arrived at the Telegram app on Saturday. An advanced US-supplied HIMARS rocket system was deployed to reach the target in the Russian occupied territories of Ukraine.

Asked about the possibility of a counterattack in the South, Ukraine's military intelligence director Budaniv said Ukraine should start seeing results "from August."

"Wait a minute, we'll see what it brings," he told Reuters.

Russian missiles also attacked elsewhere throughout Ukraine overnight with unusually large volleys.

"48 cruise missiles. At night. All over Ukraine," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mihairo Podriak said on Twitter. "Russia is still threatening Ukraine, causing panic and scaring people."

The governor of the Lviv region of western Ukraine has six shots from the Black Sea at a base near the Polish border. Said that the missile was launched. Four hit the target, but two were destroyed.

The governor of the northern Zhytomyr region said at least one soldier had died in a strike against a military target. Mayor Mykolaiv near the Black Sea said five cruise missiles attacked the city and its surroundings on Saturday.

Russia denies targeting civilians. Kyiv and the West say Russian troops have committed war crimes against civilians.

Western support for Ukraine

Despite the retreat of the battlefield, Kyiv imposes sanctions on Russia and sends weapons to Ukraine from the West Obtained support.

The war has had a major impact on the global economy and European security agreements, pushing up gas, oil and food prices, reducing excessive reliance on Russia's energy in the EU, and NATO in Finland and Sweden. I urged you to ask. membership.

Leaders of seven rich democratic groups are expected to show long-term support for Ukraine and discuss how to tighten Russia's screws at the three-day summit in Germany starting Sunday. It has been.

Participating British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could face pressure to agree on a peace agreement with Ukraine, putting Putin's way to Ukraine at risk to international security Said he was afraid.

As a major sign of support, European Union leaders have approved a formal candidacy for Ukraine this week. Russia said on Friday that it corresponds to the "slavery" of EU neighbors.

(Additional report by Max Hunder, Alessandra Prentice, Reuters bureaux, written by Michael Perry, Madeline Chambers, Peter Graff, edited by Sam Holmes, Edwina Gibbs, David Clarke, Peter Graff)