Ukraine now controls round half the town of Severodonetsk in jap Ukraine after reclaiming some floor from the Russians, Serhiy Hayday, head of the Luhansk area navy administration mentioned.
Hayday was responding to a query about an intelligence evaluation from the UK protection ministry, which predicted Russia would management the entire Luhansk area inside two weeks.
Two weeks is unrealistic. It is simply unreal,” Hayday mentioned Friday. “Earlier there was a troublesome state of affairs, and someplace round 70% [of Severodonetsk] was captured, now we’ve got already moved them again someplace round 20%.”
The Russians “had beforehand managed to seize many of the metropolis, however now our navy has pushed them again. They’re actually struggling large losses,” he mentioned in additional feedback on Saturday.
“The troublesome state of affairs stays within the area as an entire, and Severodonetsk is now only a focus of hostilities as a result of the Russian military — as we perceive — is throwing all its reserves into this path,” Hayday mentioned.
At the moment the Ukrainian navy lacks long-range artillery, which might be a recreation changer for the battle within the east, Hayday mentioned.
“They’re transferring ahead step-by-step. They’re merely destroying all the things with artillery, plane, mortars, tanks,” Hayday mentioned. “However as quickly as we’ve got sufficient Western long-range weapons, we’ll push their artillery away from our positions. After which, imagine me, the Russian infantry will simply run.”
Avenue fights proceed in Severodonetsk, and Ukrainian troops are nonetheless “attempting to push again the enemy,” he mentioned.
On Friday, the Russians “tried to encompass the Ukrainian troops” within the metropolis and neighboring Lysychansk, however have been unsuccessful. In complete, Ukraine repelled a complete of 9 assaults by the Russians within the Donbas area up to now 24 hours.
Russia can also be blowing up bridges to stop Ukraine sending in reinforcements to the area, Hayday mentioned.
“They’re actually afraid that the success of our defenders will develop, and this may be finished if the ammunition, weapons and reinforcements are supplied in time. That is the very first thing they’re afraid of,” Hayday mentioned. “Luhansk area is a big outpost for us, we’re holding it now.”
Round 30 km (18.6 m) south of Severodonetsk, three folks have been killed on Friday, together with a mom and youngster, in Hirske, Hayday mentioned.
The humanitarian state of affairs in Severodonetsk is “very troublesome,” Hayday mentioned, as they’re presently unable to soundly evacuate folks or usher in humanitarian support to the town.
