Finance
The United Nations has issued a warning that thousands of civilians are trapped in Severodonetsk, a key city in Ukraine’s Luhansk region where fierce battles are currently raging, with essential supplies running out.
According to the BBC, the fierce battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces have destroyed all three bridges into Severodonetsk.
Capturing Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk would give Moscow control of the entire Luhansk region, much of which is already under Russian control.
Speaking to the BBC, UN Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Saviano Abreu said that many of the stranded civilians were taking refuge in bunkers beneath the city’s Azot chemical plant.
The city’s last exit bridge was destroyed earlier this week, effectively trapping its 12,000 remaining residents inside.
“The scarcity of water and sanitation is a major concern.” “It’s a major concern for us because people cannot survive without water for long,” Abreu told the BBC.
He also mentioned that food and medical supplies were running low in Severodonetsk.
Severodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk stated on social media that Ukraine still controls the city’s eastern district.
“There are efforts being made to push the enemy back towards the city center.” “It’s a permanent situation with some partial success and tactical retreat,” he added.
According to reports, 70% of Severodonetsk is now under Russian control, according to the BBC.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that Ukrainian troops in the city were fighting Russian forces for “literally every metre.”
Source:OCN
