Luhansk region: invaders control most of Sievierodonetsk and fighting is going on in the city
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — TUESDAY, 31 MAY 2022, 21:09
SERHII HAIDAI. PHOTO FROM TELEGRAM
Most of Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast is controlled by Russian troops, but there is no risk that the Armed Forces of Ukraine fighters will be encircled as yet.
Source: Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, on air on Radio Svoboda (Liberty) on Tuesday evening.
Direct quote: "Fighting is now going on inside the city. Russian troops control most of the city. But the fear that our troops will be surrounded somewhere … that’s not going to happen. It is possible to manoeuvre. The military is calmly holding the line of defence in the positions that they occupy at present."
Details: Haidai said that about 90% of all homes in the city have been damaged. 60% of these will be almost impossible to rebuild. Critical infrastructure has also been completely destroyed, and there is no central supply of water, gas or electricity.
Evacuation from the city is almost impossible, and no humanitarian aid is being brought in either.
"It is not possible to bring in humanitarian supplies right now because fighting is going on in the city. That's why I’m urging local residents to hide in shelters. There is no way of leaving Sievierodonetsk now. It is possible from a certain part that is controlled by Ukrainian troops, but it is very risky. The chances of getting out are very small. Therefore, there is simply no point in putting people's lives at risk", Haidai said.
Background: Roman Vlasenko, head of the Sievierodonetsk District State Administration, stated on Tuesday morning that about 50% of the city had been captured by Russian troops.
On the morning of 31 May, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on the Donetsk front, Russian troops are focusing their main efforts on establishing control over the city of Sievierodonetsk. On the Sievierodonetsk front, the Russian army is conducting assault operations in the areas of Sievierodonetsk and Toshkivka, and hostilities are continuing.
