• The Kremlin says it has achieved a “tactical breakthrough” near Lysychansk.
• This could lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian troops in the area.
• The advance puts Russia in sight of capturing or surrounding; the last two holdout cities in Luhansk province.

Russia closes in on important twin cities. Near Lysychansk, Kremlin forces have made a “tactical breakthrough”; seizing towns that could result in the encirclement of Ukrainian forces.
By breaching the defences surrounding a crucial city; and creating the potential that Kyiv’s soldiers in the region could be surrounded; Russia appears to have given Ukraine a serious defeat; in the conflict for the country’s east.

According to Ukrainian authorities and Western military analysts; Russian soldiers have advanced recently in the area of Lysychansk; closing in on that city while battling for complete control of its battle-scarred twin, Sievierodonetsk.

Read More: Putin is erecting an impenetrable wall

The move brings Russia closer to seizing or encircling the final two rebel cities in the province of Luhansk; which with with nearby Donetsk makes up the eastern industrial Donbas; that has grown to be the main theatre of the conflict.

Brutal artillery exchanges have characterised this phase of the conflict; and Kiev is pleading with the United States and its allies in the West; to deliver more of the heavy firepower it needs right away to combat Moscow’s forces.

Read More: Sievierodonetsk last routes have been closed