Russia says full control over Severodonnetskun

Ukrainian officials said earlier in the day that their troops had withdrawn from the city after a long battle.

“The LPR People's Militities Units, with support from Russian troops under the command of S.V. Army General. Surovicin, as a result of successful offensive operations, completely released Severodonnetsk and Borovskoye, Voronovo and Sirotino of LPR”, he said.

Thus, the enemy's attempt to turn the industrial zone of Severodonnetssk nitrogen company into a stubborn resistance centre was hampered”.

The city, located in the Luhansk region, had become a fierce battlefield in recent weeks and had seen Russian and Ukrainian forces fighting from street to street.

Its decline will be a key victory for Russia, which aims to take over the entire eastern region of Donbas in Ukraine (including Luhansk and neighbouring Donnetsk).