Russia Deploys All Strength to Severodonetsk, Ukrainian Troops Retreat

SEVERODONETSK, KOMPAS.com – Ukraine on Saturday (4/6/2022) said Russia was using all available forces to seize the industrial city of Severodonetsk, in an attempt to take control of the entire Donbass region.

“The situation in the region as a whole is very difficult. The fighting is now concentrated in Severodonetsk, because as we understand, the Russian army is deploying all its forces and reserves in this direction,” Sergiy Gaiday regional governor of Lugansk said in an interview posted on his official social media.

“Initial information indicates that they managed to take control of most of the city. But now our military is driving them out,” he added AFP.

Read also: Ukraine Update: Russian Troops Push Deeper into Severodonetsk . City Center

Severodonetsk is the largest city still in Ukrainian hands in the Luhansk region, where Russian troops have gradually advanced in recent weeks.

After failing to capture the capital Kyiv, Russian troops made several tactical withdrawals to consolidate forces for a large-scale offensive in the Donbass — which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — and has been partially controlled by pro-Moscow separatists since 2014.

On the same day, the Russian army said that several Ukrainian military units were withdrawn from Severodonetsk, the main city in eastern Ukraine.

“Several units of the Ukrainian army, which suffered critical losses during the battle of Severodonetsk, were pulled towards Lysychansk (the twin city of Severodonetsk located directly across the river),” the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

But Russia’s defense ministry also said some Ukrainian soldiers remained in the city.

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“Ukrainian authorities, having realized that it was impossible to fight further and defend the Severodonetsk industrial zone, ordered a mixed tactical unit to mine tanks containing nitric and nitric acid at the Azot plant,” he added.

According to the Russian army, the group still in Severodonetsk includes “survivors of the 79th Air Assault Brigade and members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces.”

The Russian Defense Ministry claims the Ukrainian army is trying to pollute the area and hinder Russian military operations.

Read also: Putin: Russian Anti-Aircraft Troops Crush Enemy Weapons Like Nuts

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