Russian forces were able to make small gains in the Lisichansk region, seizing parts of an oil refinery located on the outskirts of the city, the head of the Luhansk region’s military administration, Sergey Haidai, said on Friday.
“The occupiers are attacking the Lisichansk oil refinery, holding the northwest and southeast parts of the plant,” Heyday said in a Telegram post.
Big picture: The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said: “[Russia] focuses its main efforts on encircling our troops in the Lisichansk region from the south and west, establishing complete control over the Luhansk region.
Heyday made a similar analysis.
“The enemy is trying in vain to surround the Ukrainian army, attacking Lisichansk from the south and west,” he said.
Russian forces also renewed an assault on the Bakhmut-Lisichansk highway, the main supply line to the city, but were pushed back by Ukrainian forces, Heyday added.
Inside the city: The situation remains dire for the nearly 15,000 residents who remain in Lisichansk.
“Lisichansk residents spent almost 24 hours in basements and houses. The shelling of the city is very intense,” Heyday said. “Many residential houses and industrial facilities caught fire.”
Elsewhere in eastern Ukraine, the Russian military has also stepped up shelling of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Add Comment