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Russia has taken control of most of Sieverodonetsk, UK MoD confirms

02 June 2022 10:22 (UTC +04:00)

Russia has taken control of most of Sieverodonetsk. The main road into the Sieverodonetsk pocket likely remains under Ukrainian control but Russia continues to make steady local gains, enabled by a heavy concentration of artillery, UK Ministry of Defense wrote on Twitter, APA reports.

"This has not been without cost, and Russian forces have sustained losses in the process.

Crossing the Siverskyy Donets River - which is a natural barrier to its axes of advance – is vital for Russian forces as they secure Luhansk Oblast and prepare to switch focus to Donetsk Oblast.

Potential crossing sites include between Sieverodonetsk and the neighbouring town of Lysychansk; and near recently-captured Lyman. In both locations, the river line likely still remains controlled by Ukrainian forces, who have destroyed existing bridges.

It is likely Russia will need at least a short tactical pause to re-set for opposed river crossings and subsequent attacks further into Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian armed forces have prepared defensive positions.

To do so risks losing some of the momentum they have built over the last week," added Ministry.