Natalia Zinets, Oleksandr Kuzhukhar

KYIV, Reuters – The battle for Sievierodonetsk was fought between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers as Moscow’s forces pushed forward to take over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas. They were seeking a decisive victory more than 100 day after their invasion.

It was not clear which side held the upper hand, and “the situation changed from hour to hour,” Oleksandr Stryuk (head of administration at Sievierodonetsk), said on TV.

This city, along with Luhansk and Donetsk Provinces has been made the target of Russia’s offensive in Donbas. The Kremlin is continuing to invade the Donbas in an ongoing war of attrition in which cities are destroyed by artillery fire.

In his Monday nightly video address, President Volodymyr Zilenskiy stated that “Street fighting is continuing in the city.” The Russian army is using additional force towards Donbas.

Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of the province, said Monday that the situation was worsening after Ukrainian defenders had forced back the Russians on Saturday as they appeared close to winning.

On Monday, Russian troops shelled the Donetsk region and Luhansk areas killing two civilians. According to Ukrainian military records, more than 20 Ukrainian communities were hit by Russian fire on Monday.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the reports from battlefield. Russia denied targeting civilians during the conflict.

Pavlo KYrylenko, Donetsk region governor, said that he offered people the possibility to leave.

Since last week, more than 100 residents were evacuated from Sloviansk. There are still 24,000 people. People now understand, even though it’s late, it is time for them to move.

Russia, after being forced to withdraw from Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Kyiv, in the beginning stages of war, claims that it is currently on a mission in order to “liberate the Donbas”, which has been held since 2014. It also says that it’s engaged in a special military operation to disarm its neighbour and “denazify”.

This is a false pretext by Ukraine and its allies for wars that have killed thousands and flattened entire cities. It has also forced millions to flee the country.

“EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED WEAPONS”

Zelenskiy thanked Britain to provide multiple-launch rockets that could strike targets from up to 80 km (50miles) away. This provided the longer-range firepower required to reach Russian artillery batteries which are crucial for Moscow’s battle plans.

He said, “I’m grateful to Prime Minister Boris Johnson because he understood our needs and was prepared to supply Ukraine with precisely the weapons it requires to protect our lives.”

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, stated that Moscow will respond to Western long-range weapon deliveries by moving Ukrainian forces closer to Russia’s borders.

Vladimir Putin stated Sunday that Russia would attack new targets if Russia provided longer-range missiles to the West. Russian missiles also struck Kyiv on the same day. This was their first strike in over a week.

The defence ministry of Ukraine stated that Russian forces also advanced towards Sloviansk which is located about 85km (53miles) west from Sievierodonetsk.

Russian Pilfering Grains

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary-of-State, stated that there were “credible reports”, suggesting Russia has “pilfered” Ukraine’s grain exports in order to make a profit.

Blinken claimed that the theft is part of wider Russian actions in Ukraine during war. These Russian actions have affected Ukraine’s ability export wheat crops.

Since the February 24th invasion, prices for grain, cooking oil, fuel, and fertilizer have shot up.

Russia and Ukraine are responsible for almost a third world’s wheat supplies. Russia exports fertilizer, and Ukraine exports sunflower oil.

Russia’s U.N. Russia’s U.N. Security Council Meeting. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stormed off Monday, as European Council President Charles Michel charged Moscow with fueling a crisis.

Nebenzia stated to Reuters, “I couldn’t stay” due to “the lies Charles Michel came here for.”

Over Russia’s invasion, the West has also placed unprecedented sanctions on Russia.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced Monday that it had placed personal sanctions against 61 U.S. officers, including energy and treasury secretaries as well as senior defense and media officials.

According to the statement, this was in retaliation against “constantly growing U.S. sanction”.

Karine Jean-Pierre (White House Press Secretary) did not reply to questions regarding the matter during a briefing.