Russia destroys last bridge to Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine says

By Max Hunder

KYIV -Russian forces have destroyed the final bridge to Ukraine’s japanese frontline metropolis of Sievierodonetsk, trapping any remaining civilians there and making it inconceivable to get in humanitarian provides, the area’s governor stated on Monday.

Governor Serhiy Gaidai stated some restricted army entry remained nonetheless to the devastasted metropolis that has turn into a key battleground for Ukraine because it tries to halt Russia’s advance throughout its industrial Donbas heartland.

“It's now totally inconceivable sadly to drive into the town, to ship one thing to the town. Evacuation is inconceivable,” Gaidai stated.

He wrote on the Telegram app that Russia had not taken full management of the town, and that “a component” of it remained underneath Ukrainian management, however that it was not doable to move humanitarian cargoes there.

Gaidai additionally informed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Ukrainian service that though 70% of the town was now managed by Russia, the state of affairs for Ukrainian troops there was “troublesome however underneath management”.

“They've the power to ship the wounded to hospitals, so there may be nonetheless entry,” Gaidai stated.

“It’s arduous to ship weapons or reserves. Tough, however not inconceivable,” he added.

Avenue battles have raged for weeks in Sievierodonetsk, which 4 months in the past was dwelling to 100,000 individuals. Ukrainian officers say simply over a tenth of that quantity stay within the metropolis.

Ukrainian officers say lots of of civilians are sheltering within the bunkers of the town’s Azot chemical plant.

Gaidai stated situations for the hundreds of civilians remaining within the metropolis had been “very troublesome,” as three months of preventing had destroyed fuel, electrical energy and water infrastructure, and that there have been “enormous” disruptions with provides of medicines.

Russia has denied focusing on civilians in what it calls a “particular operation” to revive Russian safety and “denazify” its neighbour. Ukraine and its Western allies name this a baseless pretext for an invasion which has killed hundreds of civilians and raised fears of wider battle in Europe.