Fierce battles raging in Luhansk Region, Russians attempt to encircle Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk

The relevant statement was made by Luhansk Regional Military Administration Head Serhii Haidai on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Regarding the situation at the front line, the enemy has focused efforts on the offensive operation to encircle Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk. Now, with the support of artillery, they are conducting assault operations in the direction of Toshkivka and Ustynivka, near Lysychansk,” Haidai wrote.

In his words, Russia’s shelling is very strong. Sometimes it is impossible to record all the damage on time, as it is difficult to reach the impact areas.

“In particular, with a two-day delay we received information that the enemy had again shelled the regional specialized school. It is a children’s boarding school in Hirske, which offered an advanced educational environment. The ‘Russian world’ has made everything possible to take this away. In addition, we are constantly receiving reports on the housing stock damaged in Popasna and Rubizhne,” Haidai noted.

According to Haidai, AZOT chemical plant has been under continuous enemy fire over the past day.

In Lysychansk, thick smoke was observed coming from an oil refinery, which is situated near the Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway shot through by Russian troops. The oil refinery is regularly hit with enemy projectiles, Haidai added.

Meanwhile, more than 10 residential houses were damaged in Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, and one person was injured.

Haidai noted that, over the past day, Ukrainian defenders had repulsed 16 enemy attacks, destroyed eight Russian tanks, 22 armored fighting vehicles and one motor vehicle. The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units shot down an enemy Granat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and six Orlan-10 UAVs.