That would give a strategic and symbolic victory to President Vladimir V. Putin, and open avenues for Russia’s military to advance deeper into Ukraine. Moscow’s forces already control most of Sievierodonetsk, to the east, which sits on lower ground and has been reduced to ruins by the Russian bombardment. 30 miles RUSSIA UKRAINE LUHANSK Sievierodonetsk Lysychansk Toshkivka DONBAS Kyiv DONETSK UKR. Detail areaThat enhances the possibility that the Ukrainian fighters defending Lysychansk could be encircled and cut off. In addition to Luhansk province, the Russians control about half of Donetsk province and are pushing from the east, north and south to take more territory.

Source: New York Times June 22, 2022 11:27 UTC