Ukraine says Russian forces have destroyed the last bridge to Sievierodonetsk

Governor Serhiy Gaidai said that a limited military approach has remained in the destroyed town that has turned into a key battle field for Ukraine, while the country tries to curb Russia's progress in the centre of industrial Donbas.

Now it's completely impossible to get into town, send something into town. Evacuation is impossible,” said Gaidai.

He wrote on the Telegram app that Russia had not taken full control of the city and that “part of its” remains under Ukraine's control, but that it was no longer possible to transport humanitarian loads.

Gidai also told Ukrainian Radio Europe Free/Radio Freedom that although 70% of the city was now controlled by Russia, the situation for Ukrainian troops was “difficult, but under control”.

“They have the ability to send wounded to hospitals, so there is still access,” said Governor Gidai.

It's hard to send weapons or backup. Hard, but not impossible,” he added.

The weekly Sievierodonnets have become the scene of fierce battles. Ukrainian officials say that just over one tenth of the 100 thousand residents there were left in the city four months ago.

Gidai said the conditions for the thousands of remaining civilians in the city were very difficult “”, as three months of fighting had destroyed the gas, electricity and water infrastructure and that there were major “ ” in medicine supplies.