Invaders are already throwing "mobilised" Ukrainians into the battle for Bakhmut – Head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration

OLENA ROSHCHINA – MONDAY, 18 JULY 2022, 08:27

The Russians are trying to advance from Lysychansk towards Bakhmut, and mobilised men from recently occupied cities have gone into battle, says Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration.

Source: Head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration Serhii Haidai, head of the military-civil administration of Sievierodonetsk Oleksandr Striuk

Quote from Haidai: "In the large cities of the Luhansk region, which the Russians captured in the summer, 10-15% of the population remained. Unfortunately, they did not pick up on the information about the mobilisation of men in the previously occupied part of the region, did not see a threat to themselves.

They were sure that the "Russian world" is, above all, a decent life. And now, not having a house, it having been destroyed by the enemy, they turn into scoundrels, going to kill residents of neighbouring settlements. Some of them voluntarily.

Others again do not believe the numerous warnings, but see ads with incredibly high salaries and for some reason are confident they will improve their lives. And after a few days, they meekly go to the trenches. With an agenda. Is this what they have been "waiting and waiting for" for several years?"

Details: According to Haidai, the main target of the invaders after Lysychansk is Bakhmut, but "the way to this city runs through the small territory of the Luhansk region that is still holding the line of defence".

The invaders are striking with missiles and using aircraft to break through the Ukrainian defence.

On Sunday, 17 July, settlements on the border of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions withstood five airstrikes. There were 13 attacks from artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, to which "everyone is already accustomed".

"The Russians tried to move towards Verkhnokamianka, but suffered losses and withdrew. The enemy's offensive was also repulsed near Bilohorivka – there, too, the enemy is counting those who managed to return to their positions," Haidai said.

Oleksandr Striuk has stated that humanitarian problems are accumulating in occupied Sievierodonetsk: there is a shortage of food, there are no centralised communications at all, the invaders deliver water around the city, sewage treatment plants have been destroyed, and there are also problems with gas.

According to Striuk, "even if the Russians manage to supply gas to the borders of Sievierodonetsk, in the city itself there will be no blue fuel due to the significant destruction of the distribution network".

The hospital still has a supply of medicines. At the time of the occupation, 5 doctors and 10 junior medical personnel worked there. One of the doctors has already left for the government-controlled territory, while the rest have stayed.