Russian forces are expanding the attack on Donbass, suffering heavy losses

Kyiv, Ukraine – Russian forces insisted on encircling two cities in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday as part of an overall attack to take control of the advancing Donbass region, but at a cost to Moscow.

The fighting centered around two towns on either side of the Seversky Donets River, Severodonetsk and Lisichansk. The two cities are among the easternmost parts of Donbass still controlled by Ukrainian forces.