Sievierodonetsk is a key point; Russian forces attack on 9 fronts in Luhansk Oblast: Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Ukraine

ALYONA MAZURENKO – WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE 2022, 22:48

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that Russian occupation forces in Luhansk Oblast are conducting assault operations on nine fronts. He added that Sievierodonetsk remains a key point in the defence of the oblast.

Source: Valerii Zaluzhnyi on Facebook

Quote: "Fierce fighting for Luhansk Oblast is continuing. The enemy has focused its main forces in the northern part of the oblast and is attempting to attack on nine fronts at once…

Sievierodonetsk is a key point in the Luhansk Oblast defence system. The city can be seen as nothing less than that."

Details: According to Zaluzhnyi, Russian occupying forces are mounting an offensive from the south of Luhansk Oblast and advancing on the north along the Popasna – Komyshuvakha route, with Lysychansk as its final target; along the Popasna – Mykolaivka route; and along the Popasna – Berestove route. At the same time, Russian troops are advancing from the north of the oblast to the south along the Bohorodychne – Sloviansk, Izium – Sloviansk, and Popasna – Svitlodarsk routes. Russian forces are advancing from the east to the west along the Sievierodonetsk – Lysychansk route, and also along the Sievierodonetsk – Metiolkine and Toshkivka – Komyshuvakha routes.

The commander-in-chief added that Russian forces are deploying aircraft, MLRS, and artillery to push out Ukrainian troops.

Background:

• On 15 June, British intelligence reported that after more than a month of heavy fighting, Russian forces now control the majority of Sievierodonetsk while elements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with several hundred civilians, are sheltering in underground bunkers in the Azot chemical plant, in the city’s industrial zone.
• On 13 June, Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, said that the occupiers had destroyed all the bridges leading to the city, but pointed out that the Ukrainian military was not blocked there.
• Some 540-560 civilians remain in the bomb shelters of the Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk. Russian forces are constantly firing at the plant.