Russian forces mainly control Severodonetsk
Zelensky’s forces “face a significant advantage from the Russians in terms of equipment, especially artillery systems”
Ukrainian officials say Russian forces control most of Severodonetsk. All bridges leading to this city in the east of the country were destroyed. Kyiv says heavy fighting is going on in the Donbas.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Motuzianik He said there was intense fighting on June 13, but that Russian forces controlled the city due to its artillery superiority and the use of volley fire systems.
According to Motuzianik, Russian forces are “inflicting heavy losses on infantry,” but are advancing with artillery and attack aircraft.
Ukrainian officials say supply lines have been closed for those remaining in the city and evacuation is not possible at this time. Three main bridges connecting the Severodonetsky twin city with Lisichansk were destroyed.
“It’s just awful”
The capture of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk means that Russian forces will take full control of the Luhansk region. Most of the region is now in the hands of Russian-backed separatists.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski In a nightly address on June 13, he said that the battle of Donbas “It will go down in military history as one of the most brutal wars in Europe and for Europe”.
Zelensky said his forces “have a significant advantage over the Russians in terms of equipment, especially artillery systems,” and once again called on Western Ukraine’s defenders to send more modern heavy weapons systems.
“The cost of this fight is huge,” he said. It’s just awful. “On a daily basis, we draw the attention of our partners to the fact that Ukraine will be provided with the necessary number of modern artillery, which will put an end to Russia’s torture of the Ukrainian Donbas.” He added.
Zelensky stressed that Ukrainian troops did everything possible to stop the attack.
They control 70-80 percent of the city
Head of the Luhansk regional military administration Sergey Qayday Earlier, he told RFE / RL that all three bridges from Severodonetsk were in disrepair, and that conditions in the city were “extremely difficult.”
“All the bridges have been destroyed, it is impossible to take anything to the city today.” Gaiday said evacuations were not possible.
He said Russian forces had completely destroyed gas, water and electricity infrastructure, and that there were “huge problems” with medical services.
Gaidai said the Russian army controlled 70 to 80 percent of Severodonetsk. Before the war, more than 100,000 people lived in the city.
20 percent increase in defense spending
One of the leaders of Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine Eduard Basurin On June 13, Severodonetsky said he was under “actual” siege.
“The remaining Ukrainian units in Severodonetsk stayed there forever,” he said. – Basurin told the media in Donetsk.
But Russia’s attack in eastern Ukraine is costly, the British Defense Ministry said in a June 14 daily intelligence report.
According to a leading official of the Russian Military-Industrial Commission, defense spending could increase by 600-700 billion rubles (10.5 billion to 12.3 billion rubles), which means a 20 percent increase in Russia’s defense budget.