Ukrainian and Russian troops are combating street-by-street for management of the important thing industrial metropolis of Sievierodonetsk, even because the UN warns the warfare is making a “human trafficking disaster”.
Key factors:
Luhansk’s governor stated the scenario had worsened after Ukrainian defenders had pushed again the Russians
The UN particular envoy for sexual violence in battle stated the UN had obtained at the very least 124 allegations of conflict-related sexual violence
Russia’s UN ambassador categorically rejected and condemned all allegations of sexual violence by Russian troops as “lies”
Which aspect had the higher hand in Sievierodonetsk on Monday (native time) was unclear, with “the scenario altering from hour to hour,” Oleksandr Stryuk, head of town’s administration, stated on tv.
WARNING: This story accommodates graphic content material that will disturb some readers.
The town has turn into the primary goal of the Russian offensive within the Donbas — comprising Luhansk and Donetsk provinces — because the Kremlin’s invasion grinds on in a warfare of attrition that has seen cities laid waste by artillery barrages.
“Our heroes don’t quit positions in Sievierodonetsk,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his nightly video handle on Monday.
Ukraine’s defence ministry stated Russia was throwing troops and gear into its drive to seize the most important remaining Ukrainian-held metropolis in Luhansk.
The province’s governor, Serhiy Gaidai, stated earlier on Monday the scenario had worsened after Ukrainian defenders had pushed again the Russians over the weekend as they appeared near victory.