No way out for Ukrainians in embattled city as Russian forces destroy last bridge

Russian forces destroyed the final bridge to Sievierodonetsk, chopping off a route for evacuating residents.
by way of REUTERS

The final Ukrainian defenders of the jap industrial metropolis of Severodonetsk can “give up, or die,” a Russian insurgent spokesman mentioned Monday.

Talking to Russian state media shortly after Kremlin-backed forces blew up the final of three bridges connecting the destroyed metropolis to the neighboring city of Lysychansk, Eduard Basurin — spokesman for the self-styled Donetsk Folks’s Republic — mentioned Ukrainian defenders had been now trapped.

“They've two choices: both observe the instance of their colleagues and give up, or die, he mentioned. “They haven't any different choice.”

The final holdout for Ukrainian forces within the state of Luhansk, the dual cities have turn into a lynchpin within the Kremlin’s technique to take Ukraine’s industrial heartland — the area referred to as the Donbas.

Russian forces have taken greater than 80% of Severodonetsk after weeks of bloody combating that has left the town in ruins. Russian artillery has pummeled Severodonetsk and Lysychansk for almost a month.

Ukrainian servicemen journey an American 155 mm turreted self-propelled howitzer M109, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, in Donetsk area, Ukraine.

REUTERS

However Severodonetsk mayor Oleksandr Stryuk mentioned Tuesday that whereas Ukrainian forces had been lower off from the relative excessive floor of Lysychansk, there have been nonetheless some roads connecting the town to different Ukrainian-held territory.

Stryuk mentioned combating continues, and that Ukrainian forces had been nonetheless attempting to push Russian troops out of the town.

He added that the Ukrainian navy was holding off Russian makes an attempt to advance on suburbs south of the town.

A neighborhood resident walks in entrance of an residence constructing destroyed in a missile strike, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Bakhmut, Ukraine.

REUTERS

Russian forces had been reinforcing, nevertheless, with two extra battalion tactical teams approaching the town, Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai mentioned on Telegram Tuesday.

“The Russians are attempting to encompass our troops within the space of the settlements of Lysychansk, Privillya, Severodonetsk, and Borivske,” he mentioned.

As many as 12,000 civilians are believed to nonetheless be sheltering within the ruins of Severodonetsk, although native authorities say they're scrambling to mobilize evacuations amid incoming artillery hearth.

Ukrainian service members hearth a BM-21 Grad a number of rocket launch system, close to the city of Lysychansk, Luhansk area, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

REUTERS

Vuhlehirsk’s warmth energy plant burns after a shelling, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, close to the city of Svitlodarsk, Donetsk area.

REUTERS

Haidai mentioned Tuesday that a mass evacuation was “merely not doable” given the fierce street-by-street combating and relentless Russian bombardment.

“There may be nonetheless a chance for the evacuation of the wounded, communication with the Ukrainian navy and native residents,” he mentioned, echoing Stryuk’s assesment that the town was not utterly encircled.

In an interview with Danish media Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged his nation’s dire scenario within the Donbas.

“The scenario is tough,” he mentioned. “Our activity is to struggle again.”

With Put up wires