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Ukrainian officials say that Lysychansk remains in Ukraine’s hands, despite claims from Russia that the city “has been brought under control”, Reuters reports.
Ukrainian forces have spent weeks trying to defend the city, Ukraine’s last bastion in the eastern province of Luhansk. The city saw intensified fighting on Saturday and videos on Russian media showed Luhansk militia waving flags and cheering in Lysychansk streets. A spokesperson for the pro-Russian separatist forces said “Lysychansk has been brought under control,” but “unfortunately, it is not yet liberated.”
Despite fierce battles near the city, Lysychansk is not surrounded and remains under control of the army, said Ruslan Muzychuk, the Ukraine national guard spokesman.
“The goal of the enemy here remains access to the administrative border of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Also, in the Sloviansk direction, the enemy is attempting assault actions,” he said.
