New Delhi: Russia has reportedly taken control of three Ukrainian villages—Shandryholove, Derylove and Stavky— in Donetsk Oblast, located in the east of Izyum city, a day after reports trickled in that Ukrainian forces are undertaking a counteroffensive near the region.
Updates:
To the North of Lyman, ?? have captured Shandryholove, Derylove, and Stavky.
Reports that ?? may have also taken control of Drobysheve. pic.twitter.com/BXrtWTkakg
— Ukraine War Map (@War_Mapper) May 16, 2022
In a Telegram post Sunday, Serhiy Haidai, head of Luhansk Oblast administration, said the Russian military “command likely understands that it will not be able to seize Donetsk Oblast but believes that it has the capacity to reach the administrative borders of Luhansk Oblast”.
This means that instead of encircling Ukrainian troops from Izyum to Donetsk city after Ukraine’s counteroffensive near the region, Moscow is now more likely to attempt a complete occupation of Luhansk Oblast, having already controlled much of it via pro-Russian separatists prior to 24 February.
This shift in plans is in light of Russia denaturing elite airborne units with mercenaries which the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) termed as “shocking”, and said that it “would be the clearest indication yet that Russia has exhausted its available combat-ready manpower reserves.”
“Russian forces are continuing a coordinated effort to seize Severodonetsk from the north and the south, which would result in a shallower encirclement of Ukrainian troops than originally expected,” the ISW noted in its assessment.
Russian forces Sunday fired around a dozen shells at part of a hospital in the city of Severodonetsk, reported the New York Times. Although there is insufficient information on casualties, about 200 of the 300 total hospital beds have been destroyed.
A Ukrainian unit fighting north of Kharkiv said it has reached the Russian border along with a message saying, “Mr. President, we made it!”, US broadcaster CNN reported.
Meanwhile in the south, Russia continues massive artillery and air strikes to block and destroy units trapped at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, where several hundred wounded Ukrainian soldiers are trapped.
Also read: Russia prepares for Severodonetsk battle as Ukraine lines up counteroffensive near Izyum