Seen targeting Russian forces south of Izium in eastern Ukraine
Britain’s Defense Ministry says Russian forces may have increased their efforts to advance south of Izium while fighting continues in Severodnetsk.
“Russian progress on the Izium axis had been stalled since April, as Ukrainian forces made good use of the terrain to slow Russia’s progress,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.
“Russia may have attempted to reorganize [the Eastern Group of Forces] Having suffered very heavy casualties in the failed advance on Kyiv, but its units are likely to remain vulnerable. Russia is trying to regain momentum in the region in order to put further pressure on Sverodonetsk and give it the option of moving deeper into Donetsk Oblast.”
— Sam Meredith
Russian forces control most of Severodnetsk, says regional governor
People wait to be evacuated in Lisichansk, eastern Ukraine, on June 8, 2022.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
According to the governor of the Luhansk region, Russian forces are controlling much of the eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk and are shelling the nearby city of Lisichansk.
In an online post, Serhi Haidai said Ukrainian troops in the Luhansk region were not at risk of encirclement.
He said the Russian military temporarily controls more than 90% of the territory.
— Sam Meredith
Zelensky says fighting in Severodnetsk could decide the fate of eastern Ukraine
Smoke and dirt rise from shelling in the city of Severodnetsk this week. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said via Telegram, according to a translation, “Severodnetsk remains the epicenter of the confrontation in the Donbass.”
Eris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said fighting for control of the city of Severodnetsk could determine the outcome of a conflict with Russian forces in the country’s east.
“According to the results of this day, on the 105th day of full-scale war, Severodnetsk remains the center of confrontation in the Donbass. We defend our positions, inflicting significant damage on the enemy,” Zelensky said via Telegram , according to one translation.
“This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Perhaps one of the most difficult in this whole war. I am grateful to all those who defended this direction. In many ways, the fate of our Donbass is being decided Is.”
— Sam Meredith
UN chief says trade deal could curb mass hunger
The United Nations is pursuing an agreement that would allow the export of grain from Ukraine via the Black Sea and provide unhindered access to world markets for Russian food and fertilisers.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told UN reporters on Wednesday that without a deal hundreds of millions of people in developing countries are at risk of an unprecedented wave of hunger, three months after Russia invaded its smaller neighbour.
“Ukraine’s food production and Russia-produced food and fertilizer must be brought to world markets despite the war,” Guterres said.
Guterres said senior officials have been working closely with contacts in Moscow, Kyiv, Ankara, Brussels and Washington for the past 10 days. He said that he does not want to jeopardize the chances of success by disclosing the details.
“This is one of those moments when silent diplomacy is necessary, and the welfare of millions of people around the world can depend on it,” he said.
– The Associated Press
Biden confirms US support in phone call with Polish president
President Joe Biden speaking to Vladimir Putin from the White House on December 30, 2021.
Source: White House Photo
The White House said in a readout of the call that President Joe Biden spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda and reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthen security along Poland’s borders.
“They also discussed their ongoing support for the people and government of Ukraine in response to the Russian aggression,” the readout said.
Biden last met with Duda in March during a high-profile visit to Poland.
— Amanda Maciasi
Ukraine may be about to withdraw from a major eastern city
Smoke rises over the city of Svyerodonetsk during heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops on May 30, 2022.
Eris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
Ukrainian troops may soon have to withdraw from a major eastern city, the region’s governor and Western military analysts said on Wednesday, as Russian advance forces them back,
The street-by-street battle for Sievierodonetsk has become the focus of the conflict in recent weeksRussia is slowly moving towards its bigger goal Full control of the industrial Donbass region,
The last major city still under Ukrainian control in Luhansk province – which together with neighboring Donetsk makes up the Donbass – has been crushed by artillery in a back-and-forth battle that is difficult to decipher. Kyiv said a counterattack over the weekend helped its forces gain some ground, but the situation appeared to be worsening since then.
Satellite imagery released by US defense contractor Maxar Technologies on Wednesday showed there was “significant damage” in Svyarodonetsk and surrounding areas, amid fears that the city could be turned into a new Mariupol, which would be razed by the Russians. The main port was besieged. Left in ruins by relentless fighting.
— NBC News