"The Second Mariupol"... Russian Forces Conduct Indiscriminate Bombing on Sievierodonetsk Around the Clock

Russia Launches Concentrated Attacks on Donbas
Luhansk Governor: "Encircled by Russian Forces... Bombardment Around the Clock"

A bridge near Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine, being blown up in a joint operation by the Ukrainian National Defense Forces, Special Operations Forces, and National Security Service agents. Photo by Ukrainian National Defense Forces, video capture (Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As Russian forces concentrate firepower on the small city of Sievierodonetsk in the Donbas region of Ukraine, the area is on the verge of being completely encircled by Russian troops.

On the 25th (local time), according to the British Telegraph and others, Serhiy Nykyforov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian president, stated that in some parts of Donbas, the number of Russian troops is seven times greater than that of the Ukrainian forces, indicating a significant advantage.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk Province, reported via Telegram that Russia is advancing simultaneously from all directions, and continuous bombardment has been raining down on Sievierodonetsk for 24 hours straight. He also explained the local situation, saying, "Gas supply within the city has been cut off, and drinking water and electricity are limited." He expressed concern that Russian forces, having launched concentrated attacks and approached the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, could encircle the city like Mariupol.

Previously, just as Mariupol residents made their last stand at the Azovstal steel plant, about 15,000 citizens of Sievierodonetsk are trapped in the shelter of the Azot chemical plant, reported the British newspaper The Times. While there is little expectation that the Ukrainian forces can defend indefinitely here, it is predicted that if they inflict significant losses on the Russian troops, there may be a chance for a counterattack later when Western weapon support arrives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also conveyed the difficult situation on the eastern Donbas front. In a virtual speech at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, on the 23rd, he said, "The Russian military has deployed all available forces for the (eastern Donbas) offensive," adding, "They want to destroy every part of the Donbas region."