Russia claimed to have dominated the last remaining Ukrainian territory of the industrial city of Lysychans'k in eastern Luhansk Oblast on Sunday.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin that the People's Republic of Luhansk was "liberated" as a pro-Russian separatist government claiming control of Luhansk. The Pentagon said in a telegram.
"As reported by Army General Sergei Shoigu, as a result of the successful combat operation, the troops of the Russian Federation, along with the troops of the People's Army, of the People's Republic of Lugansk. The government has complete control over the city of Lysychansik and many of its neighboring settlements, the largest of which are Belogrovka, Novodorjesk, Maloria Zantsevo and Belayagora. "
In an interview with the BBC, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense disputed Russia's claim, stating that Lysychans'k was not under "full control" of the Russian army and its separatist allies.
However, he admitted that Ukrainian troops could withdraw from parts of the city in a "very intense" Russian attack.
Ukrainian provincial governor Serhiy Haidai said the city was "burning."
A Ukrainian military spokesman said, "For Ukrainians, the value of human life is a top priority and we may withdraw from certain areas to regain them in the future." I did.
Moscow has taken control of the East Donbus region since failing to defeat President Volodymyr Zelensky and occupy the capital Kieu early in the four-month invasion of Ukraine. I have been focusing on. Ukraine retains control of several cities in Donetsk Oblast, which is adjacent to Luhansk.
Russian troops occupied Lysychans'k sister city, Sieviero Donetsk, after the fierce battle of the war last month.
In a Saturday night television speech, Zelensky maintained his determination and "urged the invaders to lose money, which would prevent all Russians from defeating Ukraine. I remember. "
"In many frontal areas, there is a sense of mitigation, but the war is not over," he said. "Unfortunately, it is intensifying in many places and we must not forget it. We must help the army, volunteers and those who are left alone at the moment."
Meanwhile, Russian officials said an explosion occurred on Sunday in a Russian city bordering Ukraine, killing at least three people.
The explosion in Belgorod damaged dozens of homes. Russian lawmaker Andrey Christians called for a military response to the attack.
"Death of Citizens and Destruction of Private Infrastructure in Belgorod," Klishas posted in a telegram. "It is a direct attack on the Ukrainian side and requires the strictest response, including the military."
Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on Russia's allegations of the Belgorod explosion.
Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of the occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol, said in a telegram that Ukraine had attacked one of the four Russian military bases in the occupied territories.
In addition to the Lysychansik and Bakumut regions, the Kharkiv region is seeing some of the worst battles on the front lines. According to Kharkiv Oblast Chief Oleg Sinegbov, four people were killed and three were injured in two districts in northeastern Kharkiv, Izyum and Chuhuiv.
A Russian rocket also struck a residential area in Slovyansk, killing a woman in the yard and injuring her husband, according to a neighbor who spoke with Agence France-Presse.
In Kharkiv, missiles collided with some rail infrastructure, but no casualties were reported. The strike damaged the tracks and knocked down the high-voltage power lines.
"After the Russian rocket collided at 4 am, the power grid, the traffic lights and the three high-voltage lines that power the [a] substation were damaged," said Pavlo Svistelnikov, regional power grid manager. I told Reuters. .. According to local authorities, Russian troops struck cities for over a week, killing civilians and attacking apartment buildings and schools.
Ukrainian officials released a video on Saturday of a Russian fighter bombing Snake Island the day after Russia said it had withdrawn from Snake Island.
Russia has also launched a new bus service from the 2014 occupied Crimean Peninsula to the newly occupied cities of eastern Ukraine.
As the war continued, the United States announced $ 820 million in details on additional military aid to Ukraine, including a new surface-to-air missile system and counter-battery radar.
The US 14th Military Aid Package contains two air defense systems called NASAMS. This helps the Ukrainian army defend against cruise missiles and aircraft.
The latest aid package is designed to help Ukraine counter the use of Russian long-range missiles, providing a more sophisticated weapons system that can be more adapted to Moscow's weapons. Following the call of the Ukrainian authorities to the Western countries to send.
Some information in this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
