Oleksandr Striuk, the head of the military civilian administration in the stormed Ukrainian industrial city of Severodonetsk, said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces were in a “tough defensive position” as fighting erupted on the outskirts of the city.
Speaking on national television, Striuk said some of the most intense fighting was concentrated around the Mir Hotel on the outskirts of the city.
“In the area of the main bus station you can hear a real battle,” he said. “Our military is in a tough defensive position. The city is constantly being bombarded. suspend. “
Striuk described a serious situation, saying there was no mobile phone communications and that the electricity had been cut off. His remarks come just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech on Saturday night that the time until Ukraine is released “is getting shorter” every day and that it is “only a matter of time” before Ukraine recover Russian gains.
“We supplied water to the city with the help of electricity, pumping stations,” he said. “The water available is from open wells with generators. There are about six or seven wells in the city. It’s extremely dangerous, as soon as people gather for water, that’s where the bombing begins.”
Striuk, however, expressed some confidence that the city could hold out with some limited supplies delivered to the road.
There are still opportunities to get to the city, “he said.” There are opportunities to deliver minimal cargo. This is extremely difficult, but it is still possible.
“Evacuation is very unsafe, few people, priority for the injured. There is only an initial level of medical care in the city.”
In a statement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Russian forces had suffered losses and withdrew to some previously occupied positions in the direction of Severodonetsk, but added that the Russians were still conducting reconnaissance in the area. to identify and attack items. of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the National Security, Defense and Intelligence Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament, said that the next few days “will be decisive” in the battle for Severodonetsk.
“Our forces pushed the enemy into the positions he had previously held,” he said. “But we have to understand that the Russian troops are practically on the outskirts of Severodonetsk.”