• Lysychansk is Ukraine’s last bastion in the strategic eastern province of Luhansk.
• The civilian toll from Russian strikes has climbed in towns well behind the front lines.
• Russia says it hit army command posts in the area; Ukraine says city is in its hands.

In the strategically important eastern region of Luhansk, fighting for Lysychansk; Ukraine’s final stronghold; grew more intense on Saturday (July 2). Meanwhile, explosions rattled a southern city; as the number of civilians killed by Russian airstrikes rose; in villages far from the front lines.

The pro-Moscow self-styled Luhansk People’s Republic’s envoy to Russia; Rodion Miroshnik, stated on Russian television that “Lysychansk has been taken; under control,” but added, “Unfortunately, it is not yet liberated.”

Russian media broadcast footage of Luhansk militia parading through Lysychansk streets; while applauding and waving flags, while Ruslan Muzychuk; a spokesperson for the Ukraine National Guard; informed Ukrainian national television that the city; was still under Ukrainian control.

There are now violent fights close to Lysychansk. Fortunately, the city is not encircled and remains under Ukrainian army control.

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“Access to the administrative border between the Donetsk and Luhansk regions continues to be the enemy’s major objective here. Additionally, the enemy is trying attack activities; in the direction of Slovansk, he added.

Mayor of Mykolaiv’s southern area, Oleksandr Senkevych; who borders the important Black Sea port of Odesa; reported loud explosions in the city.

As air raid sirens sounded, he posted on the Telegram chat service; “Stay in shelters!”

The explosions’ origin is not in findings; however Russia eventually claimed responsibility for hitting nearby army command buildings.

The combat accounts could not be independently verified by Reuters.

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