Battle for Severodonetsk moves into city, says Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine

Urban warfare has begun in the Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk as heavy clashes with Russian forces continue in the city center, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Saturday.

Russia is trying to wrest control of the region on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, said a statement, adding that the Russian forces had withdrawn nearly 100 pieces of damaged military equipment northwest towards the town of Slobozhansky.

Locals continue to resist the Russian forces, it noted, while Moscow seeks to hold its positions in the direction of Kharkiv and Kherson regions.

In the last 24 hours, one tank, one artillery system, six armored vehicles, three military vehicles, two Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and one tactical reconnaissance Eleron-type UAV belonging to Russia were reportedly destroyed in the line of conflict.

According to UN estimates, at least 4,113 civilians have been killed and 4,916 injured in Ukraine since the war began, with the true toll believed to be much higher.

Over 6.8 million people have fled to other countries, while more than 7.7 million have been internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.