Fate of Donbas being decided in Severodonetsk, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that Severodonetsk "remains the epicentre" of Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine and that the "fate" of the Donbas region "is being decided there."

Ukrainian troops have been engaged with Russian forces in Severodonetsk for weeks. It is the last major city under Ukrainian control in the Luhansk province, the northern province of the Donbas region, according to reports.

Zelensky said that Russia has suffered "significant losses" in the battle for Severodonetsk, but according to the governor of the region, Russia now controls "most" of the city.

"This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the most difficult throughout this war," the Ukrainian president said of the battle. "I am grateful to everyone who defends this direction. In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there."

"We defend our positions, inflict significant losses on the enemy," Zelensky added.

The industrial zone of Severodonetsk is controlled by Ukraine, where according to reports, Ukrainian troops have been sheltering beneath some of the city's chemical plants.

"90%" of the Luhansk region is controlled by Russian forces.

The mayor of Severodonetsk said last month that his city has seen at least 1,500 people killed since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion, and roughly 12,000-13,000 civilians remain in the city that once had a population of over 100,000.