Ukraine has launched a counterattack against Russian forces in the city of Severodonetsk and regained about a fifth of the lost territory, according to the head of the region.
Sergei Gaidai, the governor of Luhansk province, said Russian forces had suffered significant damage and were blowing up bridges to prevent Ukrainian forces from bringing in additional military reinforcements.
“Right now, our soldiers are pushing them back [the Russians] they are making huge sacrifices, “Mr Gaidai said in a live TV broadcast on Saturday.
“The Russian army, as we understand it, is putting all its efforts, all its reserves into it [Sievierodonetsk] direction, “he said.
The Russians are blowing up bridges, so we could not bring reinforcements to our boys in Severodonetsk.
Moscow is seeking to control the entire province of Luhansk, and the Donbass region has been the source of some of the fiercest fighting in recent weeks.
Both sides say they have suffered heavy casualties in the battles for the small industrial town, a battle that military experts say could determine which country has the momentum for a protracted war of attrition in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Kyiv has rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron for the importance of not “humiliating” Moscow.
“We must not humiliate Russia so that on the day the fighting ends, we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means,” Macron said in an interview with regional newspapers on Saturday, adding that he was “convinced that the role of France is to be a mediating power. “
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted in response: “Calls to avoid humiliating Russia can only humiliate France and any other country that would call for it.
“Because it is Russia that is humiliating itself. We all better focus on how to put Russia in its place. It will bring peace and save lives. “
Now Ukraine says its goal is to push Russian forces as far back as possible onto the battlefield, relying on advanced missile systems promised in recent days by the United States and Britain to turn the war in their favor.
Asked about Macron’s proposal to mediate on national television, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said: “Until we receive weapons in full, until we strengthen our positions, until we push them [Russian forces] back, as far as possible, to the borders of Ukraine, there is no point in negotiating. “
This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian artillery had hit a Ukrainian Orthodox monastery since the early 17th century on Saturday.
Russia’s defense ministry has denied involvement, accusing Ukrainian troops of setting fire to All Saints’ Church before withdrawing.
The Svyatohirska Lavra monastery complex is located near Russian positions in eastern Donetsk.
Footage posted by Zelenski on his official channel, the Telegram, shows the flames tearing through the wooden walls of a church with onion domes.
“Russian artillery struck the Svyatohirsky Lavra in the Donetsk region again today. Destroyed All Saints Monastery. It was consecrated in 1912. It was first destroyed during the Soviet era. It was later rebuilt to be set on fire by the Russian army, “the Ukrainian leader wrote.
Mr Zelenski called for Russia to be excluded from the UN’s cultural agency, UNESCO, and said there were no military targets. Two monks and a nun were killed on the spot in a June 1 shelling.
Pope Francis said on Saturday that he would soon meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss a visit to their country.
The pope revealed the upcoming meeting of the session with questions and answers with children in one of the main courtyards of the Vatican.
A Ukrainian boy named Sahar asked him, “Can you come to Ukraine to save all the children who are suffering there now?
The 85-year-old pontiff said he often thinks of Ukrainian children and wants to visit the country, but must choose the right moment.
“It is not easy to make a decision that can do more harm than good to the rest of the world. “I have to find the right moment to do it,” he said, according to a Vatican transcript of the event.
“Next week I will receive representatives of the Ukrainian government who will come here to talk, even about my possible visit there. We will see what happens, “Francis said. He did not give further details.
Additional reporting by agencies
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