Summary of the Events
Russian forces have entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk and have blocked the major resupply route to the besieged city. Russia is now in control of 95% of the Luhansk Region.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk)
Target Severodonetsk – Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Severodonetsk allowing them to fire mortars against defending Ukrainian forces.
Russia troops continue to capture territory after breaking through Ukrainian lines at Popasna. They took Vasylivka and continued pushing to take Bilohorivka, Berestove, Nyrkove, and Lypove. They are now within artillery range of the T1302 Highway which is used to resupply Severodonetsk from Bakhmut. Ukraine has only one route through Siversk to resupply Severodonetsk.
From the south Russian forces have entered Toshkivka where street fighting is now occurring over control of the city.
Target Kramatorsk – To the northeast, Russian soldiers have entered the city of Lyman and reportedly control half of the city. If they can take Lyman, then they can attack Ukrainian forces from the front and rear at Bohorodychne opening the way to take Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
Russian forces have also captured Svitlodarsk south of Kramatorsk after Ukrainian forces withdrew.
Russian missiles destroyed residential areas in Kramatorsk, but there were no casualties.
Expansion from Donetsk – Russian forces are still unable to break through Ukrainian defense lines. Assaults were made against Krasnohorivka, Pisky, Avdiivka, and Kamianka but without success.
Battle for Kherson
Russian forces, wearing Ukrainian uniforms, unsuccessfully attempted to capture a Ukrainian observation post guarding the line defending Kryvyi Rih.
Battle for Kharkiv
For the second time, Russian forces attempted to retake Ternova but were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
The metro system, where thousands of Kharkiv residents took shelter during the months of Russia shelling their city, has now reopened for service.
Russia made it clear it could still inflict damage on Kharkiv by firing several missiles killing nine civilians and wounding 17.
Other Ukraine Regions
Chernivtsi – A Ukrainian fighter jet shot down a cruise missile over the Chernivtsi Region. The region has been relatively safe with only one bomb hit in the first days of the invasion.
Dnipropetrovsk – Russian missiles struck a manufacturing plant in Kryvyi Rih as well as civilian targets in Shyroke and Apostolove. Apostolove is partially without power. Later on Wednesday they struck civilian targets in Zelenodolsk, Velyka Kostromka, and Marianske destroying a kindergarten, church, and several homes.
Sumy – A Russian missile was shot down over the Sumy Region.
Zaporizhia – Russia fired four cruise missiles in the region, one of which was shot down. All three missiles struck civilian targets destroying a shopping mall and 62 homes.
Other News
Russia announced that they will not swap soldiers who defended Mariupol until they are tried and sentenced for their “neo-Nazi” activities. They will not be entitled to rights as prisoners of war as they are considered criminals by Russia.
Russia has streamlined the process for residents of occupied Kherson and Zaporizhia regions to be issued a Russian passport.
Russia is holding the world hostage by demanding the end of sanctions as the price for allowing Ukrainian grain to feed the world where tens of millions are estimated will starve by the end of the year.