This was announced on Facebook by the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai, Ukrinform reports.
"The Russians totally control most of Siverodonetsk. The fighting is so fierce that the battle for a single apartment block, let alone a street, can last for a day. About 500 civilians, including 40 children, remain at the Azot (plant’s shelter). The industrial zone is heavily shelled by enemy large-caliber artillery," Haidai wrote.
Read also: 6-year-old boy killed in Russian strike on LysychanskThe official added that the shelters at Azot are not as strong as those at Mariupol's Azovstal, so the authorities and the military are trying to set up an organized evacuation with security guarantees. Meanwhile, a "quiet" evacuation is underway.
Earlier, all people remaining there refused to flee town.
"There is no threat that our troops in Luhansk region will be encircled," added the head of the Luhansk administration.
According to Haidai, in Lysychansk, the Russians have intensified shelling, employing large-caliber artillery, pummeling the city every day. In recent days, the largest number of killed and wounded was recorded precisely in this settlement.
Photo: Facebook