Natalia Zinets, Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters – President Volodymyr Zilenskiy claimed that Ukrainian troops engaged in violent street fighting against Russian soldiers at Sievierodonetsk’s industrial center. It was a key battle for the Kremlin in its attempt to seize control over the eastern Donbass.

“Our heroes don’t give up their positions in Sievierodonetsk. Zelenskiy, in his Monday nightly video address, stated that “fierce street fighting” continues in the city.

“And Ukraine Donbas stands, is strong,” he said, referring to the area in which Sievierodonetsk was located.

There was no clear winner, as the situation was constantly changing, Oleksandr Stryuk from Sievierodonetsk’s head of administration, stated.

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.

According to the defense ministry of Ukraine, Russia is also sending troops and equipment in its attempt to seize Luhansk, which remains Ukraine’s largest city.

Serhiy Gaidai, Luhansk’s Governor, stated that the situation was worsening after Ukrainian defenders drove back Russians on Saturday as they appeared close to winning.

The Ukrainian military reported in its nightly update that two civilians had been killed by Russian bombardment in Donetsk, Luhansk on Monday. They also stated that more than 20 villages were being attacked and targeted by Russian troops.

Reuters couldn’t independently verify battlefield reports. Russia denied targeting civilians during the conflict.

Russia claims it’s on a mission “liberate” Donbas, which is held partly by Moscow’s separatist proxy since 2014. This claim comes after Ukrainian forces drove its troops out of the capital Kyiv (and the second city Kharkiv) in the early stages.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 24, calling it a special military operation to end threats to its security. The Western Allies of Ukraine call it a “special military operation” to eliminate threats to its security.

CONSTANT SHELLING

According to Ukraine’s defense ministry, Russian forces are also moving towards Sloviansk (located about 85km/53 miles west of Sievierodonetsk).

Pavlo Kyrylenko from Donetsk, the regional governor of Donetsk said to Ukrainian television: “The frontline is under constant bombardment.”

“The enemy has also been shelling Lyman in an attempt to destroy our defensive positions, and advance on Sloviansks and Kramatorsk.” With the same goal, there is shelling at Svyatohirsk.

Kyrylenko stated that efforts are underway to evacuate residents from many towns under night and day attack. This includes Sloviansk, which still has approximately 24,000 inhabitants.

He said, “People now understand, even though it’s late, it’s time to go.”

Britain, in coordination with the United States announced it would provide Ukraine with multi-launch rocket systems. These can reach targets at 80 km (50 mi) and will deliver the precise firepower required to hit Russian artillery battery batteries.

Zelenskiy stated that Kyiv is gradually being given “specific antiship systems” and these will be the best method to break Russia’s blockade at Black Sea ports in Ukraine, which has been preventing grain exports.

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

Vladimir Putin stated Sunday that Russia would attack new targets if Russia provided longer-range missiles to the West. On the same day, Russian missiles struck Kyiv for a first time in over a month.

After almost three months of closure, the United States reopened their embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine in May. However, it stated that its position in Kiev remains unchanged.

Russia has been subject to unprecedented Western sanctions.

Russia’s foreign minister said 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 Russia’s foreign ministry, the action was taken in retaliation against “constantly growing U.S. sanctions”.