Battles raged in the Donbas region, where Russian troops reportedly tried to seize the cities of Slovyansk and Severodonetsk.
Nearly three months into Russia’s war on Ukraine, invading forces have increased their efforts to take the eastern part of the country. Battles raged in the Donbas region, where Russian troops reportedly tried to seize the cities of Slovyansk and Severodonetsk. Russia made small advances toward the city of Severodonetsi, according to the BBC, and deployed heavier artillery in the region, the New York Times reported. Since failing to take Ukraine’s capital, the Kremlin has focused on expanding the territory held by Russia-backed separatists the past eight years. Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the situation in Severodonetsi and nearby Slovyansk “extremely difficult.”
Seven houses in Severodonetsi and more than two dozen houses in neighboring towns have been damaged, CNN quoted Zelenskyy’s office as stating.
“The enemy forces are preparing to resume the offensive in the Slovyansk direction,” said a member of the Ukrainian military. Ukraine’s parliament extended martial law for another 90 days and welcomed Poland’s President Andrzej Duda.
“Unfortunately, in Europe there have also been disturbing voices in recent times demanding that Ukraine yield to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s demands,” said Duda, the first foreign leader to address Ukraine’s parliament since the Feb. 24 start of the invasion. “I want to say clearly: Only Ukraine has the right to decide about its future. Only Ukraine has the right to decide for itself.”
Ukrainian Territorial Defense soldiers patrol near the frontline on May 22, 2022 near Ruski Tyshky, Ukraine. (John Moore/ )
Millions of refugees have fled Ukraine for Poland.
“This is really a historic opportunity not to lose such strong relations, built through blood, through Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said.
