Ukraine Russia Online: According to the governor, the defenders were ordered to withdraw from Severodonetsk – SME

Russian forces are trying to encircle troops in Lysychansk, say Ukrainian officials. The battle for two key cities in eastern Ukraine is nearing a “threatening climax,” Russia said. Moscow has managed to achieve stable profits over the past two weeks: “The fighting is entering a terrible climax,” Oleksiy Arestovych said. Russian forces are trying to encircle Ukrainian troops defending Lysychansk, said the high official of the Ukrainian defense, Oleksiy Gromov. (The Guardian)