Serhiy Hayday, head of the regional administration, said that the Russians want to conquer the Luhansk region at any cost, which is why they are turning the troops from Mariupol, Kharkiv and Donetsk region in this direction. “Our soldiers are shocked because the Russians are literally coming out of every crack like cockroaches,” the governor added, stressing that “everything will be decided next week.”

“The invaders are not immune to bullets or immortals, like everyone else. However, there are already a lot of them. Our soldiers are shocked that the Russians are coming out of every crack like cockroaches. I think everything will be decided next week, this will be the time when fate will be decided Luhansk region ”- assessment of Serhiy Hidag.

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The governor reported heavy fighting near Severodonetsk, during which Russian forces fired on him from aircraft, artillery and rocket launchers. “The enemy is so close to the city that he can attack it even with mortars. The Russians are constantly and around the clock destroying Severodonetsk. The situation is very difficult, the fighting in the suburbs has already begun on Tuesday” – added Hajjaj.

Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region [26.04.2022]STR / PAP / EPA

The capture of Severodonetsk is considered the most important goal of the Russians

On Monday, the head of the regional authorities reported that 25 Russian battalion groups, that is, about 12,500 soldiers, are operating in the Lugansk direction. Soldiers. The capture of Severodonetsk – the unofficial capital of the government-controlled part of the Luhansk region of Kyiv – is currently considered the most important goal of the enemy’s invasion of eastern Ukraine. According to Heidi, the Russians should move troops to the oblasts from Mariupol, Kharkiv and Donetsk region.

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Before the Russian aggression, the number of Severodonetsk was more than 100,000. Population. According to estimates of the administration of the Lugansk region, since the beginning of May, about 15,000 people remained in Severodonetsk. civilians.

Pilgrims: a strategic route still under Ukrainian control

The governor also referred to media reports that the Russians had captured part of the important Lyschansk-Pakhmut road, leading to Severodonetsk, which could “cut” the Luhansk region from the rest of Ukraine. “The road is under bombardment, but today we have already managed to deliver humanitarian aid there. Until 1:00 pm in Poland, you can still travel along this connection route,” Hajjaj said.

The road connecting Lyschansk to BakhmutGoogle Maps

The politician sees spreading news of Russian soldiers taking control of the road as a risky and irresponsible activity. Some headlines in the media cause outrage. Region? Read these rumors? – wrote the head of the regional authorities.

A spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Oleksandr Motozjanik, did not confirm the news of the occupation of the road by the hostile forces. In his opinion, there are still difficulties in maintaining control of this key contact. “There are also alternative supply routes for our forces in Severodonetsk, which are besieged on three sides by enemy forces,” Mutozjanik was quoted as saying by Reuters. The spokesman added that the goal of the Russians is to completely encircle the Ukrainian formations in this city and in nearby Lysekhansk.

The road from Lisichansk in the Luhansk region to Bakhmut in the Donetsk region is an important transport route, allowing communication between the eastern regions and the cities of Dnieper and Zaporizhia, as well as the central and western parts of Ukraine.

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Ukrainian field hospital in Luhansk region [9.05.2022]PAP / EPA / ROMAN PILIPEY

Main image source: SERGEI ILNITSKY / PAP / EPA