Two civilians have been killed and five wounded by shelling as Russian troops entered the outskirts of the Ukrainian city Severodonetsk, Luhansk region governor Serhiy Haidai has said on messaging app Telegram.
Most of them are residents of one block in the old part of the city he said, adding they were preparing food in the yard when the shelling suddenly started.
The Reuters news agency is quoting the governor as saying there is “heavy fighting is ongoing for Severodonetsk and Lysychansk,” and he describes the situation as “very difficult”.
“The enemy has deployed all possible weapons, including aviation. However, our military is holding out firmly to not let the enemy go deeper into the country,” Haidai said.
The neighbouring city of Lysychansk remains under Ukrainian control, and evacuations are being carried out of the city, he added.