Brief facts:
- Citizens of Mariupol suffer from side effects of russian occupation, mortality rates increased.
- Defense Ministry of Israel officially denied Blue Spear 5G SSM anti-ship missiles transfer to Ukraine.
- British military intelligence states that Russia’s offensive in Ukraine’s Donbas region has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule.
- The Ukrainian participant of the Eurovision Song Contest called out to save people in Azovstal, Mariupol; wins the contest.
- Sumy region comes under mortar fire from Russian territory.
- russia’s Black Sea Fleet Command withdraws most of ships to bases in Crimea.
Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2
Read more: The 80th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine
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23:41 russian president against the extraction of soldiers from Azovstal
President putin does not consent to the extraction of wounded soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol despite multiple international organizations and third countries engaged by Ukraine. This was stated by Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, reported by Stratcom Centre. The official did not disclose the details since those are classified.
She also said the authorities stay in touch with the relatives of the Mariupol defenders:
"We were able to express it and tell the relatives frankly about that because they have the right to know. And most of the questions, I really hope, have been resolved… Actually, everything [possible] has already been done. Putin simply does not agree."
22:05 President Zelensky received a Coat of Arms of Tallinn award from Estonia
Tallinn City Council decided to award the honorary Coat of Arms of Tallinn to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. The decision was adopted on May 5, as reports the Ukrainian Presidential Office. This Sunday, May 15, Chairman of the city council Eugen Osinovskyi handed the award over to Oleksandr Korniienko, Vice-Speaker of Ukraine's parliament who is on a business trip in Estonia.
Eugen Osinovsky noted that the presentation of the Coat of Arms expresses the solidarity of the Estonian capital and its residents with the people of Ukraine and their heroic struggle against Russian aggression.
“There is no place for violent border changes, killing people and bombing cities in 21st century Europe. And I am confident that we will win this war,” the Chairman of Tallinn said.
22:25 Russian forces mobilize people in the occupied territories and inside the russian federation
Russian armed forces command is trying to recruit and replenish the heavy losses they suffered in Ukraine, says the latest operational report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Reservists are used as reinforcements. Available data indicates that 2,500 reserve troops are being trained at landfills in Voronezh, Belgorod and Rostov regions of the russian federation. Senior command plans to deploy them for participation in the war on the Ukrainian territory.
More details:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russians Train Troops for Reinforcements
21:59 "If you take a Kadyrovite captive, it's a 'jackpot'"
Ukrainian blogger Volodymyr Zolkin, who made hundreds of interviews with russian prisoners of war, told on camera about the unequal treatment of soldiers by the russian federation. Video provided by Anton Gerashchenko, the Adviser to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
According to Zolkin, russian command always immediately requests for an exchange of every Kadyrovite serviceman. And even agrees to give any of the Ukrainian captives back to take a Kadyrovite back. Such an approach hasn't been seen towards any other russian servicemen. That's why the Zolkin said to the Ukrainian military:
"If you take a Kadyrovite captive, it's a 'jackpot'. It is an immediate guarantee that we will be handed over any of our people. Immediate guarantee".
On the other hand, he noted, when it comes to a non-Kadyrovite russian soldier, the talks on exchange become more difficult as the commanders use various pretexts to not take their troops back.
21:35 Consequences of occupation kill citizens of Mariupol
Mayor of Mariupol Petro Andryushchenko reports unusually high mortality rates in Mariupol these days. Apart from hostilities civilian people die from the "four horsemen of the Apocalypse in Mariupol": nervous breakdowns, lack of medical care, unsanitary conditions and poor immunity because of starvation – all of these factors are the consequences of russian occupation.
As the Mayor wrote on his Telegram channel, the death rate is so high that new graves immediately appear in the yards in place of the exhumed ones.
Only a general evacuation and the admission of humanitarian aid from Ukraine can save the Mariupol hostages of Russia, he stressed
20:58 Ukrainian Special Forces blew up a bridge to stop offensive (video)
The railway bridge connecting Rubizhne and Severodonetsk settlements was blown to thwart russian offensive on two strategically important settlements of the Luhansk region, reports Anton Gerashchenko, the adviser to the Ukrainian internal affairs ministry. The operation was carried out in the russian rear by the 8th Regiment of Ukrainian Special Forces together with the National Guard and the counterintelligence special service servicemen.
20:24 Russian fire position eliminated by Ukrainian artillery
The fire position of russian rocket artillery was detected and destroyed by the artillerymen of the Air Assault and the Land Forces.
"The occupiers' MLRS was trying to launch strikes on the peaceful Ukraninan settlements," reads the message from Air Assault Forces Command. According to it, the following russian equipment was neutralized:
- two units of BM-21 "Grad" MLRS
- one BM-27 "Uragan" MLRS
- one 1L260 "Zoopark-1M" mobile counter-battery radar system
- at least five special non-armored vehicles
- an ammunition warehouse.
19:44 Swedish Prime Minister supported joining NATO
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced Sunday that her party, Social Democrats, supports the idea to apply for joining NATO, CNN reports.
The decision reverses the stance Sweden has taken for 200 years, Andersson noted. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced the country to "adapt to reality":
"It is very clear that there is a before and after the 24th of February 2022. Europe, Sweden and the Swedish people are living in a new, dangerous reality. The European security order that Sweden has based its security policies on for centuries, that is now under attack,” the prime minister said.
19:20 89 US howitzers already arrived in Ukraine
U.S. Embassy in Ukraine stated on Twitter that all but one of the American M-777 howitzers are already in Ukraine. This makes 89 out of 90 provided in the latest $800 mln military aid package. Many of those have already been deployed on the frontlines.
More details:
All American M-777 Howitzers in Ukraine - U.S. Embassy Kyiv
18:57 The war in Ukraine will not end quickly, but NATO Allies will continue to help Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia. The relevant statement was made by German Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock at a press conference, following the informal meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Berlin.
“We have discussed how we can continue to support Ukraine, what we can do in the coming weeks and months. We agree that, at the national level, and especially in terms of military support, we cannot and will not stop to help,” Baerbock said, promising to help Ukraine as long as needed.
According to Baerbock, there is no choice but to make it clear that they fully stand on Ukraine’s side, as well as provide military support, so that Ukraine could defend itself.
Baerbock noted that Germany and the West were ready for a dialogue with Moscow, but it was Russia that had ruined all forms of dialogue.
Many world leaders attempted to talk to Putin but in vain. Now NATO’s strategic concept of deterrence and defense has a different meaning than it had before February 24, Baerbock added. NATO has to revise its positions and reinforce its eastern flanks.
Russia’s aggressive war has made NATO more united, which is what President Putin always wanted to prevent. Now two more countries want to join the Alliance, although they were not planning to do so until February 24.
According to Baerbock, the ‘diplomatic marathon’ of the last three days, i.e. G7 and NATO Ministers meetings, has emphasized how dramatic the situation in Ukraine is remaining and how united the partners are in these difficult times.
17:55 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that Turkey does not intend to block Finland and Sweden from joining the Alliance. NATO will resolve the dispute, he added.
Stoltenberg also called on NATO members to help Ukraine survive the war with Russia. He is confident that Ukraine can win.
"Russia's war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow have planned. It failed to take Kyiv. They’re pulling back from around Kharkiv, their major offensive in Donbass has stalled. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives," he said
17:14 In a press conference alongside Prime Minister Sanna Marin, President of Finland Sauli Niinisto said: "Today, we, the president and the government’s foreign policy committee, have together decided that Finland ... will apply for NATO membership."
He added that being a member of the military alliance will “maximize” Finland’s security after Russia’s unprecedented invasion of Ukraine in February.
Marin described that move to apply as an “important decision” based on a “strong mandate.”
"We hope that the parliament will confirm the decision to apply for NATO membership during the coming days," she added. The formal application is expected to be submitted next week.
Marin said Finland has been in close contact with NATO and its members over the decision. Last week, Marin and Niinisto said the country should apply to join NATO "without delay.2
Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia; if it joins the military alliance, the land border that Russia shares with NATO territories would roughly double.
As such, there is a risk the move from Helsinki could spark aggression from Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed his opposition to NATO’s enlargement.
Finland’s Niinisto said he spoke to Putin on Saturday and informed him of his country’s decision.
Last week, Russia’s foreign ministry said Finland joining NATO would be a "radical change" in the country’s foreign policy. "Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising," it said in a statement.
Russia has land borders with 14 countries and five of them are NATO members: Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Norway.
Finland has been reviewing its security policy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which showed the Kremlin is willing to attack a neighboring nation. Finland has been invaded in the past — in 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland in what became known as the Winter War.
16:05 According to NewItaly24 new package of military aid to Ukraine has not yet been defined in detail. But two pieces of equipment are definitely destined for Kiev on the list. That includes
- 155 mm caliber artillery pieces that other NATO countries have already sent to the front to fight the Russian batteries; and then the
- FH70 guns should also arrive, which are equipped with an engine that allows small movements and repositioning.
More details:
It Became Known What Weapons Italy Will Give to Ukraine
15:35 The Russians fired on a hospital in Sievierodonetsk. The head of the Luhansk Oblast State Administration, Serhiy Haidai reported at least 9 wounded.
14:35 As a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, 227 children were killed, more than 420 were injured, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office reports.
"As of the morning of May 14, 2022, more than 647 children suffered in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation. According to official data, 227 children were killed and more than 420 were injured. Most of the children suffered in Donetsk region - 139, Kyiv region - 116, Kharkiv region - 99, Chernihiv region - 68, Kherson region - 48, Luhansk region - 45, Mykolaiv region - 44, Zaporizhia region - 28, Sumy region - 17, Kyiv city - 16, Zhytomyr region – 15," the message posted on the Telegram channel says.
These figures are not final, since work is underway to establish them in places of active hostilities, in temporarily occupied and liberated territories.
On May 12, a 12-year-old boy who was seriously wounded on May 1 during the shelling of the city of Popasna, Luhansk region, died in a medical institution.
As a result of bombing and shelling of Ukrainian cities and villages by Russian Armed Forces, 1,748 educational institutions were damaged, 144 of them were completely destroyed.
14:00 Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has announced that his country will formally apply to join NATO. He noted that the government supported the decision. Members of parliament also assured that they would vote for accession.
The Finnish parliament is expected to approve the decision in the coming days, but this is considered to be a mere formality. After that, the formal application for membership will be submitted to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, most likely next week.
Sweden plans to submit its application on May 17, writes Svenska Dagbladet.
13:30 According to jthe Andrii Raikovych, head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, information, Ukrainian air defense forces have shot down a missile flying toward the city of Kropyvnytskyi in the Kirovohrad region. "In the morning, in the Oleksandriia district, the air defense forces shot down a missile flying toward Kropyvnytskyi," Raikovych wrote.
Air raid sirens were heard in the Kirovohrad region late on May 14 and early on May 15.
Find more details on the current russias combat losses in Ukraine-russia war in a publication by Defense Express:
The 81th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine
13:00 Defense Ministry of Israel officially denied Blue Spear 5G SSM anti-ship missiles transfer to Ukraine
Information about Blue Spear 5G SSM anti-ship missiles transfer from Israel Aerospace Industries to Ukraine, as a re-export from Estonia, has been officially denied.
According to Jerusalem Post, the Ministry of Defense of Israel gave an official reply on that. At the same time, commenting on such a short period of time at the government level at weekend time, shows the scale of the information wave that this fake has raised.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Israel Commented On Handing Over Blue Spear 5G SSM Anti-Ship Missiles to Ukraine
12:40 Russia shells Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with rocket launchers.
Russia used BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launchers to shell the village of Shyroke in the region’s Kryvy Rih District, Governor Valentyn Reznychenko said. Only windows of several houses suffered damage, and no injuries were reported, he said.
12:30 NATO’s deputy general secretary, Mircea Geoana, has congratulated Ukraine on their Eurovision triumph and said the win sends a message to Vladimir Putin, The Guardian reports citing Reuters.
He said: “I would like to congratulate Ukraine for winning the Eurovision contest. And this is not something I’m making in a light way. Because we have seen yesterday the immense public support all over Europe and Australia for the bravery. Of course the song was beautiful, it is beautiful.”
The Kalush Orchestra won with their entry “Stefania”, and Geoana sought to link its victory with Ukraine’s fight against Russia and the alliance’s solidarity with Kyiv.
Geoana said Nato wanted to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that despite starting the most “brutal and cynical” conflict since the Second World War, Ukraine continued to surprise with its bravery and the West with its unity.
“So I’m saying that we are united. We are strong, (and) will continue to help Ukraine in winning this war.”
12:00 Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, tweets that he met with US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, and says “more weapons and other aid is on the way to Ukraine.”
11:40 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has published the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 15.05.
russians are facing non-stop military losses on Ukrainian soil. About 27400 agressor's troops eliminated, 780 air targets (excluding cruise missiles) of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine
Find more details on the current russias combat losses in Ukraine-russia war in a publication by Defense Express:
The 81th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine
11:00 Russia’s offensive in Ukraine’s Donbas region “has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule”, and is “unlikely to dramatically accelerate its rate of advance over the next 30 days,” British military intelligence has said in its regular Twitter bulletin.
“Russia’s Donbas offensive has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule. Despite small-scale initial advances, Russia has failed to achieve substantial territorial gains over the past month while sustaining high levels of attrition,” the report reads.
British military intelligence says Russia has now likely suffered losses of one third of the ground combat force it committed in February.
These delays will “almost certainly” be exacerbated by the loss of critical enablers such as bridging equipment and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones.
Russian bridging equipment has been short in supply throughout the conflict, slowing and restricting offensive maneuver. Russian UAVs are believed to be vital for tactical awareness and directing artillery, but have been vulnerable to Ukrainian anti-air capabilities.
“Russian forces are increasingly constrained by degraded enabling capabilities, continued low morale and reduced combat effectiveness,” the report says.
Many of these capabilities cannot be quickly replaced or reconstituted, British intelligence analysts believe and are likely to continue to hinder Russian operations in Ukraine.
“Under the current conditions, Russia is unlikely to dramatically accelerate its rate of advance over the next 30 days,” the report concludes.
10:30 Two Russian cruise missiles launched at Lviv region downed.
Ukraine’s anti-aircraft missile forces of the West Air Command have destroyed two cruise missiles that the Russian invaders had launched at Lviv region.
The Command delivered the report on Facebook, Ukrinform wrote.
"On the morning of May 15, the ruscists fired several missiles at Lviv region from the Black Sea, targeting critical infrastructure. The cruise missiles were presumably launched from submarines. Our anti-aircraft missile forces downed two of these cruise missiles," the statement said.
10:10 Enemy using incendiary munitions against Azovstal defenders.
In Mariupol, Russian invaders started using incendiary shells against Ukrainian servicemen defending their last stronghold in the city, the Azovstal steelworks.
This was reported on Telegram by the adviser to the Mariupol Mayor, Petro Andriushchenko, Ukrinform reports.
"Yesterday, the occupiers used incendiary or phosphorus bombs against Mariupol Defenders for the first time (we will leave the conclusion to specialists). The occupiers themselves claim that 9M22C incendiary shells with thermite layers were applied. The combustion temperature is about 2,000-2,500 degrees Celsius. It is almost impossible to stop the burning," he said.
09:55 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released an operational update on the state of warfare as of 06.00 on May 15, 2022.
The enemy does not cease offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone Russian troops are regrouping to resume an offensive on Barvinkove and Sloviansk and continue to carry out an offensive in the Lyman, Sievierodonetsk, Avdiivka and Kurakhove directions.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff operational report, the moral and psychological condition of enemy's units remains low, and enemy units continue to suffer losses in manpower and equipment.
According to the available information, in connection with the significant losses of the 810th Separate Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet during hostilities in Ukraine, it was decided to replenish the brigade with personnel from other units of the Black Sea Fleet, including crew members.
Find more details on the theme and key points of the report a publication by Defense Express:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: Russian Troops Regrouping to Resume Offensive on Barvinkove and Sloviansk
09:35 Sieiverodonetsk under enemy fire: 11 strikes, many injured.
Over the past 24 hours, on May 14, Russian forces launched 11 artillery attacks on the city of Sieiverodonetsk, Luhansk region.
That’s according to the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai, Ukrinform reported referring to his Telegram channel.
"Forty percent of all Russian attacks on May 14 struck Sieiverodonetsk. Approximately the same number is in Hirske and Popasna communities. There’s a lot of destruction. These are 11 apartment blocks in the city’s new and old districts, in several of them apartments caught fire. The Russians hit a technical college and continue to pummel the Azot plant. Yesterday morning, the flames engulfed one of the production shops following yet another hit,” the statement reads.
He added that “three residents of Vrubivka were injured. In Novodruzhesk, a woman was injured and two households were destroyed. Three more – in Lysychansk, where the enemy launched an air strike, and two – in Rubizhne.
According to the official, "the Russians are removing from the map the Popasna and Hirske communities: nine households in Komyshuvas have been destroyed, four in Toshkivka, five in Zolote, and two in Troitske."
"In Komyshuvas, a local village council and a culture house were also hit. There’s destruction reported in Verkhniokamenka, Orikhove, and Katerynivka," Haidai said.
09:15 Russians shell community in Dnipropetrovsk Region with Uragan MLRS.
Last night Russian troops shelled the Shyroke territorial community in Dnipropetrovsk Region with the Uragan multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
The relevant statement was made by Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Head Valentyn Reznichenko on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
“At midnight the enemy twice shelled the Shyroke Community, which is situated in Kryvyi Rih District, with the Uragan MLRS,” Reznichenko wrote.
In his words, Russian projectiles dropped within the area between settlements. Thus, no casualties were reported.
08:50 The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units have destroyed eight enemy targets: seven Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles and one aircraft on Saturday, May 14
The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
“On May 14, 2022, air defense units of the Army and Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Force unpacked the third hundred downed planes of the Russian occupiers. At around 6 pm, in the Kharkiv region, the 201st fighter of the occupiers was shot down in the depths of enemy territory. The type of aircraft is being determined,” - the report states.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Defenders of Ukraine Shot Down Eight Enemy Air Targets Including Aircraft Previous Day
08:40 Lviv Region’s military infrastructure facility hit with Russian missiles.
In the morning of May 15, 2022, a military infrastructure facility, which is situated in Lviv Region, was hit with a Russian missile strike.
The relevant statement was made by Lviv Regional Military Administration on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
“On May 15, 2022, at about 04:30 a.m., a military infrastructure facility was hit with a missile strike,” the report states.
According to the preliminary data, no casualties were reported. The damage is yet to be checked.
07:55 Ukrainian troops acting as a part of Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Group continue to conduct a defense operation in a certain area of responsibility in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. In the area of responsibility of the Joint Forces, Ukrainian defenders destroyed eight Russian tanks and seven unmanned aerial vehicles on Saturday, May 14
“As of 21:00, May 14, the Joint Forces continue to conduct a defense operation in a designated area of responsibility in Donetsk and Luhansk directions,” the Joint Forces posted on Facebook.
As noted, the situation is difficult but controlled.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Defenders of Ukraine Repulse 12 Enemy Attacks, Destroy 8 Tanks in JFO Area
07:00 Russian troops seek to capture Sievierodonetsk, cut off Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway.
Russian troops seek to capture Sievierodonetsk and cut off Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway.
"We are getting ready for two major ruscist attacks on Sievierodonetsk and an assault on Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway from Popasna and Bilohorivka. The Russians need a regional center ‘for a tick’, and the highway – to cut off the region from connection with other regions, i.e., to encircle it,” Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai posted on Telegram.
At the same time, the Russians prepare again to cross the Siversky Donets River in Bilohorivka where they have repeatedly tried to build a pontoon crossing.
"Some idiots understood why they were being sent there, and the whole battalion refused to attack. But ‘freshmen’ will arrive soon. 2,500 units of heavy equipment are already heading to us from the previously occupied territories," Haidai added.
Meanwhile, he noted, Luhansk region no longer lives but survives: there are no utility services, people do not come out of shelters, there is no mobile communication. The evacuation was resumed in the region. On May 14, 25 people were taken out of Sievierodonetsk and Vrubivka.
As reported, Luhansk region is under constant Russian army attack. Many houses, infrastructure facilities, educational institutions were destroyed, and all hospitals were damaged.
According to the Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, more than 40,000 civilians stay in the region, refusing to evacuate.
04:40 American M777 howitzers are already in Ukraine. They are known for their accuracy and precision, but how do they work to be a high-class weapon and why their projectiles are better?
Read more in the article: American M777 Howitzers in Ukraine in All Details: From Projectiles to Fire Control System
03:55 The Armed Forces of Ukraine have eliminated 80 invaders, destroys three tanks in eastern Ukraine
The Operational and Tactical Group East reported this on Facebook.
“During the day, May 14, in the area of responsibility of the operational and tactical group "East", Russian fascist troops carried out 9 attacks, fighting continues,” the statement said.
Read more in the article by Defense Express: Operational-tactical Group "East" Repelled Nine Attacks During the Day, the Battles Are Continuing
03:20 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy: We will do everything to one day host Eurovision in a Ukrainian Mariupol.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Kalush Orchestra for its performance at Eurovision 2022 and all who voted for Ukraine. “I’m sure our victorious chord in the battle with the enemy is not far off,” President of Ukraine said.
02:30 Ukraine wins the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Ukrainian rap and folk band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Stephania.” This is the third time Ukraine has won Eurovision, after singers Ruslana in 2004 and Jamala in 2016.
01:30 russian Ambassador: Moscow will not “capitulate” in Ukraine.
russia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov also stated on a talk show that “the U.S. is becoming increasingly involved in a conflict with the most unpredictable consequences for the two nuclear powers,” Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported. The ambassador also claimed Russian Dictator Vladimir Putin’s goals in Ukraine will be “completely fulfilled.”
00:30 Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai: Russian troops seek to capture Sievierodonetsk, cut off Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway.
"We are getting ready for two major ruscist attacks on Sievierodonetsk and an assault on Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway from Popasna and Bilohorivka. The Russians need a regional center ‘for a tick’, and the highway – to cut off the region from connection with other regions, i.e., to encircle it,” Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
Read more: Day 80th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
