Shelling has increased in Severodonetsk, one of the few portions of the Luhansk region in Donbas still under Ukrainian control.

Russian soldiers are striking from three directions in an attempt to encircle Luhansk and neighbouring Lysychansk, knowing that if they fall, Russian forces will control practically all of Luhansk.

The governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Gaidai, reported that roughly 50 Russian forces had “gained a footing” and set up a checkpoint on a major route.

“The checkpoint was breached, and they were pushed back…the Russian army no longer controls the road, but it is being shelled.”

He predicted that Ukrainian soldiers would evacuate “one, maybe two settlements,” but added, “We need to win the war, not the battle.”

“It’s apparent that our soldiers are fleeing to more defended positions; we need to keep this rabble at bay.”

In late February, Russia started a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, although it has backed rebels in the southern Donbas area since 2014.