New Delhi: Russian, LPR (Luhansk People’s Republic) & Chechen Forces have managed to flush out Ukrainian troops from Lysychansk. According to sources a new Ukrainian front line has been established which is the Bakhmut-Soledar-Seversk line. Russian & LPR forces are collectively are clearing the last resistance from the Luhansk Oblast. It means that Ukraine has lost control over the Luhansk Oblast. A video of Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov claiming that Lysychansk is under collective control of the Russian Spetsnaz division, LPR forces & Chechen forces. A clearing operation is underway in Lysychansk central.
As per Russia’s TASS news agency, officer of the pro-Russian Luhansk People’s Militia, Andrei Marochko, said that the militia’s red hammer-and-sickle flag was now flying over the administrative building in Lysychansk. However, Ukraine’s military rejected claims that the city was encircled.
Spokesperson of the Ukraine National Guard Ruslan Muzychuk told Ukrainian media, “Now there are fierce battles near Lysychansk, however, fortunately, the city is not surrounded and is under the control of the Ukrainian army.”
He further said, “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.”
According to Kyiv Independent, “The claim was made by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Institute for the Study of War said that Ukrainian forces had likely deliberately withdrawn from Lysychansk, the last Ukrainian stronghold in Luhansk Oblast.”
It further reads, “This appears to be an effort to avoid encirclement of Ukrainian troops. Ukraine has not yet confirmed the loss of Lysychansk but Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai said that Russian troops had gained a foothold in Lysychansk and destroyed the city’s administrative buildings.”