Russians Try to Block Severodonetsk Access, Ukraine says

According to Kiev on Saturday, Moscow has increased its troop strength around Sievierodonetsk and is seeking to cut off Ukraine's access to the industrial city, which is at the center of a Russian offensive to take the eastern Donbass region.

Russian forces are blowing up bridges across the Siverskyi Donets river to prevent Ukraine from sending in reinforcements in Sievierodonetsk, according to Serhiy Gaidai, governor of Luhansk Province.

Russian artillery was used during "assault operations" in Sievierodonetsk on Saturday, according to the Ukrainian military. But Russian forces pulled back and Ukrainian troops are holding positions in the city around 145 kilometers (90 miles) from the Russian border.

Both sides have reported losing 60 to 100 soldiers a day during recent fighting in the east, which has been one of the bloodiest phases of the war.

4 June 2022