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Russia[/B] has asked Ukrainian forces who have taken refuge at the Azot chemical plant in the war-torn eastern city of Severodonetsk[/B] to surrender their weapons early Wednesday.
Ukraine says more than 500 civilians are trapped along with soldiers inside the chemical plant where its forces have resisted weeks of Russian bombing and attacks that have reduced much of Severodonetsk to rubble.
Colonel Mikhail Mizintsev, the officer who led the disastrous siege of Mariupol, said the militants should "stop their senseless resistance and lay down their arms" by 8 a.m.p.m. Moscow time (5 a.m. Cyprus time).
The importance of the capture of Severodonetsk
The Russian military has directed most of its military efforts to the capture of Severodonetsk in its attempt to gain full control of Lugansk and Donetsk, collectively known as the Donbas. Sherhi Haidai, the governor of Lugansk, told Ukrainian television on Tuesday that two more tactical groups of Russian battalions had moved into the region.
The battle for Severodonetsk is turning into one of the bloodiest battles of the war and is seen as a potential turning point in Russia's advance into the Donbass, according to the Guardian.
Source: in.gr
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