Russia Bombs Last Bridge in Severodonetsk, Civilians Trapped

Civilians are now trapped in Severodonetsk as Russia bombed the last bridge in the city that links it to Ukrainian-held territory where civilian evacuation operations may be done, effectively cutting off all routes.

This comes as Regional Governor Serhiy Haidai announced on social media that around 70 percent of the city is now under Russian control.

However, as of June 15, Russia is yet to capture the Azot industrial plant.

Moreover, Russia has ordered the isolated Ukrainian troop in Severodonetsk to “surrender, or die,” a Russian rebel spokesman said Monday.

According to authorities, around 500 civilians, which includes around 40 children, are isolated and are sheltering with Ukrainian troops in the Azot chemical plant.

Mayor Oleksandr Struyk also said that efforts to resupply them were becoming difficult.

The situation of the isolated troops and civilians in the Azot chemical plant is reminiscent of the last pocket of defense of Ukraine in Mariupol at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works plant.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces have isolated Ukrainian troops from their lines of communication and are attacking from multiple directions.

Russians are also firing on settlements around Severodonetsk in hopes to complicate Ukrainian withdrawal or re-supply missions.

Ukraine on Wednesday refused the Russian ultimatum, marking the start of the siege of Severodonetsk. (GFB)