'Shells Falling, Must Go Out to Get Drinking Water'... Russia Intensifies Shelling on Severodonetsk

Severodonetsk, a Key Stronghold in Ukraine's Eastern Donbas Region
Over 1,500 Civilians Killed in Russian Attacks...Capital, Electricity, and Communications All Cut Off
Ukrainian Presidential Office: "Urgent Need for Long-Range Weapons to Counter Russian Attacks"

Smoke over Severodonetsk, Ukraine. Photo by AFP, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Russia's offensive to occupy the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine is intensifying.

According to foreign media on the 29th (local time), Russian forces heavily shelled Severodonetsk, a strategic point in the Donbas region.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk Province, described the situation in Severodonetsk, saying, "The shelling is so severe that it is difficult to ascertain the number of casualties." He also expressed concern that Ukraine may need to consider an immediate withdrawal.

Severodonetsk is under attack, surrounded on three sides by Russian forces. City authorities estimate that approximately 1,500 civilians have died due to recent attacks.

Moreover, water, electricity, and communications have all been cut off, and some residents had to leave for wells to fetch drinking water even amid the bombardment during wartime conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a video address the previous day, "The situation on the eastern front is very difficult and complex," adding, "Russian forces are launching a full-scale attack to achieve any results in this area."

On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a statement that it had completely occupied Lyman, a key railway hub in the Donbas region. However, Ukrainian military authorities have not acknowledged this.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, appealed, saying, "Long-range weapon support is urgently needed to respond to Russian shelling."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.