The Ministry of Defense also reported that Ukraine had withdrawn troops, to more strategic defensive positions, outside Severodonetsk, probably across the Siversky Donets River before its main passages were destroyed.
But local officials have warned that Russia still has a significant advantage in heavy weapons, allowing its forces to use artillery attacks to strike resistance fighters in Severodonetsk before launching ground attacks.
According to the Ukrainian armed forces, similar tactics are being used in local cities, such as neighboring Lysychansk, as fighting continues to intensify in the Donbas.
“Russian occupiers continue to use all available weapons against our troops in the Bilohirivka, Lysyschank and Severodonetsk areas,” his staff said on a social media post on Thursday.
“The enemy does not stop trying to establish full control over the city of Severodonetsk, the fights continue.”