Russians advancing along Lysychansk – Bakhmut highway, firefight ongoing in Siverodonetsk industrial zone.

In the city of Siverodonetsk, Luhansk region, battles are now taking place in the industrial zone, while Ukrainian defenders retain control of the Azot plant.

The head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai delivered an update on the situation in the area via Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

According to the official, the situation along the Luhansk front is extremely difficult as Russian troops have accumulated sufficient reserves and are launching a large-scale offensive in the area. Today all free settlements of the region came under enemy fire.

Haidai notes that the invaders are advancing along the Lysychansk-Bakhmut highway, while nearby settlements are under constant enemy fire.

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"Lysychansk has been suffering from massive Russian shelling throughout the day. It is impossible to determine the number of victims at the moment," the head of the region said.

At the same time, Haidai stressed that Ukrainian defenders are not encircled, still inflicting significant losses on the enemy. "Hospitals and morgues in the occupied territories are overfilled with rucists," he said.

As Ukrinform reported, in Luhansk region, firefights are ongoing in multiple villages around Siverodonetsk and Lysychansk, while Ukraine lost control over the village of Metiolkine near the regional center.