Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a video address on Tuesday that fierce fighting continues in Severodnetsk and Kharkiv region.
“The losses in Severodnetsk are, unfortunately, painful,” said Zelensky.
“The more damage the enemy inflicts, the less strength they will have to continue the offensive. Therefore, the Donbas direction is important to determine who will dominate in the coming weeks,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s president also described how “painful losses” have occurred in the Kharkiv region where Russian forces are trying to consolidate their positions.
“The fight for this direction continues, and we still have to fight hard for the full security of Kharkiv and the region,” Zelensky said.
According to local official Maxim Strelnik, fierce fighting is taking place in Izium, south of Kharkiv.
Strelnik, deputy of the city council of Izium, said that the Russian army was trying to advance in the direction of Sloviask and Barvinkov.
Ukrainian armed forces have been able to free some settlements on the outskirts of Izium with counterattacks. Strelnik estimates that Izium is home to 15,000 citizens and the city lacks electricity, water, gas, mobile communications and the Internet. According to the official, about 80% of the infrastructure in Izium has been destroyed.