Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a video address on Tuesday, June 14. (Office of the President of Ukraine)
Fierce fighting continues in Severodonetsk and the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday during a video address.
In Severodonetsk “the losses, unfortunately, are painful,” Zelensky said. “But we have to hold on.” He went on to say how vital it is for the Ukrainian army to stay in the Donbas.
“The more losses the enemy suffers there, the less strength he will have to continue the aggression. Therefore, the direction of the Donbas is key to determining who will dominate in the coming weeks, “Zelensky said.
The President of Ukraine also spoke about how “painful losses” have occurred in the Kharkiv region, where the Russian army is trying to strengthen its position.
“The struggle for this direction continues, and we still have to fight hard to fight for the total security of Kharkiv and the region,” Zelensky said.
Fierce battles are taking place in Izium, south of Kharkiv, according to local official Maksym Strelnyk.
Strelnyk, Izium city council deputy, said Russian forces are trying to move in the direction of Sloviansk and Barvinkove.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces has been able to liberate some settlements on the outskirts of Izium with counterattacks. Strelnyk estimates that 15,000 civilians remain in Izium and the city has no electricity, water, gas, mobile communications and internet. According to the official, about 80% of the infrastructure has been destroyed in Izium.