A Russian soldier walks in front of the damaged Metallurgical Combine Azovstal plant, in Mariupol, on the territory which is under the Government of the Donetsk People's Republic control, eastern Ukraine, Monday, June 13, 2022. The plant was almost completely destroyed during the siege of Mariupol. This photo was taken during a trip organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense. (AP Photo)(
Lviv, June 14 (AP) Sievierodonetsk, the main focus of the fighting in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, isn't yet blocked off by Russian troops even though they control about 80% of the city and have destroyed all three bridges leading out of it, an official said Tuesday.
"There is still an opportunity for the evacuation of the wounded, communication with the Ukrainian military and local residents, Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press by phone.
He acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have been pushed out to the industrial outskirts of the city because of the scorched earth method and heavy artillery the Russians are using."
About 12,000 people remain in Sievierodonetsk, a city with a pre-war population of 100,000.
More than 500 civilians are sheltering in the Azot chemical plant, which is also being relentlessly pounded by the Russians, according to Haidai.
In all, a total of 70 civilians have been evacuated from the Luhansk region over the past 24 fours, the goernor said.
Two people were killed and another wounded in the Luhansk region, according to Ukrainian authorities.
