Fighting intensifies in last eastern Ukrainian stronghold of Sievierodonetsk • shipbuilding facility in the southern Ukrainian city struck by Russian forces
The United States will not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach Russia, President Joe Biden said on Monday.
The comments followed reports that the Biden administration was preparing to send advanced long-range rocket systems to Kyiv.
Earlier, Russian forces regrouped to resume their offensive in the direction of the Sloviansk region of eastern Ukraine, while also continuing efforts to encircle the city of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine’s defense ministry spokesman said on Monday.
Ukrainian forces, however, had some success in advancing towards the coastal areas where Russian forces took defensive positions, he added.
“In Sloviansk, the enemy is regrouping to resume attacks in the direction of Izyum-Barvinkove and Izyum-Sloviansk,” Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told a briefing.
More from The Jerusalem Post’s coverage of the Ukraine-Russia War:
Why are political voices saying Ukraine should ‘settle’?
Pro-Moscow Kherson official sees decision ‘towards next year’ on joining Russia
Russian-controlled Kherson region starts grain exports to Russia
Israeli government, donors launch $1 million fund for Ukrainian-Jewish refugee summer camp
EU makes eleventh-hour push to agree on Russia oil sanctions
Fighting continues in last eastern Ukrainian stronghold
The most intense fighting occurred near Sievierodonetsk, the last major stronghold of Ukrainian forces in the Luhansk region of the Donbas.
Two civilians were killed and five wounded by shelling as Russian troops entered the outskirts of the Ukrainian city Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region governor Serhiy Gaidai said on Monday.
Motuzyanyk said Ukrainian troops were doing all they could to prevent Russian forces from completely encircling the city. Its fall could help Moscow to consolidate its grip on the Donbas, large parts of which are already controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.
Russia has concentrated its firepower on the last major population center still held by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Luhansk province, in a push to achieve one of President Vladimir Putin’s stated objectives after three months of war.
Incessant shelling has left Ukrainian forces defending ruins in Sievierodonetsk, but their refusal to withdraw has slowed the massive Russian offensive across the Donbas region.
Luhansk region governor Serhiy Gaidai said Russian troops had advanced into the city’s southeastern and northeastern fringes, but he said Ukrainian forces had driven the Russians out of the village of Toshkivka to the south, potentially frustrating Moscow’s push to encircle the area.
“Capturing Sievierodonetsk is a fundamental task for the occupiers…We do all we can to hold this advance”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, May 30
Mykolaiv shipyard attack
Russia’s defense ministry said on Monday that its forces had struck a shipbuilding facility in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
Russian artillery struck a hangar in Mykolaiv’s Okean Shipyard, destroying vehicles and other equipment, the ministry said.
Reuters was not able to independently verify the report.