“It may be necessary to withdraw” from Sievierodonetsk, says governor of Luhansk region

Will the Ukrainian forces be able to defend Sievierodonetsk for a long time? While this key city in eastern Ukraine is “bombarded 24 hours a day” by Russian troops, the governor of the Luhansk region, Serguiï Gaïdaï, considers a possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops to better fortified positions. “We may have to withdraw”, did he declare. The city has been partially controlled by the Russians for several days. Follow our live.

• Fighting continues in Sievierodonetsk. Intense fighting continues Wednesday in Sievierodonetsk. The day before, Moscow claimed to have taken control of residential areas of the city, which kyiv denies: “Our soldiers manage to repel the assault in the city of Severodonetsk”, assured the Ukrainian general staff on Wednesday morning, adding that Russia is also intensifying its operations in Bakhmout, in the Donetsk region. “It is very difficult to hold Sievierodonetsk”however recognized Serguiï Gaïdaï, the governor of the Luhansk region. “All the forces, all the reserves have been mobilized by the enemy, the Russian army, to cut off the main Lysytchansk-Bakhmut road in order to take Severodonetsk. They bombard Lysytchansk very violently”did he declare.

• A “heroic” defence, according to Zelensky. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured in his daily video address on Tuesday evening that “the situation on the front has not changed significantly in the past 24 hours” and “absolutely heroic defense of Donbass continues”.

• A “book of executioners”. Tuesday evening, Volodymyr. Zelensky also announced the publication next week of a “Book of the Executioners”. This database will compile information on war crimes and Russian soldiers accused of committing them. The Ukrainian president has promised that the people who gave the orders will also be cited. “Everyone will be brought to justice”, he promised again.