Two civilians were killed and five were injured when Russian troops stormed on the outskirts of the Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk, Luhansk region governor Serhiy Haidai told the Telegram messaging application.
Most of them are residents of an island in the old part of the city, he said, adding that they were preparing food in the courtyard when the bombing suddenly began.
Reuters reports that the governor says “there is a strong fight for Severodonetsk and Lysychansk” and described the situation as “very difficult”.
“The enemy has deployed all possible weapons, including aviation. However, our army is firmly resisting to prevent the enemy from entering the country further,” Haidai said.
The neighboring city of Lysychansk remains under Ukrainian control and evacuations of the city are taking place, he added.