The Epicenter Of The Russia - Ukraine War Is Now In The City Of Severodonetsk

France 24: Epicentre of war: Artillery battles engulf Ukraine's Severodonetsk 

Severodonetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) – She ran clutching her soup ladle from the wood-fired stove set up by trapped residents metres from their doorstep and dived into the basement to escape the mortar blast. 

The whistling shell blew a hole in the nearby building of Ukraine's besieged Severodonetsk so big that loose chunks of brick began raining down on the backyard, linking several war-shattered apartment blocks. 

The heavy hail smashed windshields and left dents in awnings before coming to a merciful stop. A few of the braver residents poked their heads around the metal door of their battered entrance to see if it was safe to finish cooking their meal. But then another mortar shell smashed into more or less the same spot with a devastating bang.  

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WNU Editor: After the fall of Popasnaya last week (link here), Russian forces found themselves on open ground. Not surprising. I am now reading Ukrainian media reports that commanders want to withdraw from this region before the last road is cut-off (see Sky News video below) and they are completely encircled by Russian forces. 

There are also some reports that Ukrainian soldiers are refusing to fight (link here). But I am the first to point out that these reports cannot be independently verified.  

Update: According to Russian reports (that cannot be independently verified), there are 16,000 Ukrainian soldiers in this Lysychansk - Severonetsk pocket .... Pro-Russia official claims 16,000 Ukrainian troops encircled in Donbas (FOX News). 

More News On The Ongoing Battle In The Lysychansk - Severonetsk Pocket 

The Russians Are Throwing Everything They’ve Got At One Ukrainian Garrison -- Forbes  

At least 12 killed in Russian shelling of Severodonetsk - governor -- AFP  

Severodonetsk may fall under siege according to the Mariupol scenario, – the head of OVA -- Hindustan Times  

Ukraine war: Despite the constant artillery fire, thousands of civilians still remain in Severodonetsk -- SKY News  

Shell-shocked families refuse evacuation from Ukraine front -- AFP  

Enemy seeks to cut Luhansk region off by capturing Lysychansk - Bakhmut highway -- Ukrinform  

CIT: Russian occupiers gathering forces to surround Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk -- The New Voice of Ukraine 

'The Russians are determined': Ukrainian soldiers defending Donbas city try to keep up morale under fire -- CBC