Russian forces focus their attention on Lysychansk. in the conflict in eastern Ukraine

• As Moscow-backed rebels claimed they were advancing towards Lysychansk, the final significant city still held by Ukrainian forces 
• Moscow’s effort to help pro-Russian separatists take control of the eastern provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, 
• Moscow’s forces are isolating Ukrainian fighters in Lysychansk after entering the city from five different directions.

As Moscow-backed rebels claimed they were advancing towards Lysychansk, the final significant city still held by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Luhansk province, Russian forces were engaged in battle to accomplish one of its strategic goals in Ukraine.

In a victory for Moscow’s effort to help pro-Russian separatists take control of the eastern provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, Sievierodonetsk, the twin city of Lysychansk, collapsed on Saturday.

According to a rebel spokesman quoted by Tass news agency on Sunday, Moscow’s forces are isolating Ukrainian fighters in Lysychansk after entering the city from five different directions. Reuters was unable to verify the report.

While claiming that Russian forces were attempting to cut off Lysychansk from the south with artillery, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces made no mention of rebels infiltrating the area.

Elena, a senior citizen from Lysychansk, travelled by bus from frontline areas to the town of Pokrovsk, which is under Ukrainian control.

“The past week in Lysychansk was a horror. Yesterday, we reached our breaking point “She spoke. “I previously instructed my spouse to bury me behind the house if I pass away.”

A separatist spokesman was quoted by the RIA agency as stating that on Sunday, more than 250 people, including children, were evacuated by separatist forces from the Azot chemical facility in Sievierodonetsk.

After weeks of intense warfare that left the town in ruins, Ukrainian forces retreated from Sievierodonetsk on Saturday, leaving just the industrial portion of the town under their control.

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