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The Ukrainian authorities warned that the resistance managed to repel the invading forces in some areas of that Donbass city. The governor of Luhansk confirmed that the Ukrainian militias had won victories on “some fronts.” For its part, Russia destroyed a bridge to prevent the arrival of reinforcements. On the other hand, local intelligence maintains contact with the Azovstal prisoners and another Russian ship moves metal in Mariupol.
101 days after the start of the armed conflict in Ukraine, the focus of the fighting moved to Donbass, where for weeks Russian forces have been fighting against the Ukrainian resistance to advance in the east of the country.
After weeks of triumphs and progress by the Moscow troops, this Saturday the Ukrainian authorities reported that their soldiers gained positions in Severodonetsk and pushed their adversary back.
However, the clashes continue and the Russians have demolished bridges to prevent the arrival of local reinforcements. Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence confirmed contacts with the prisoners who were in the Azovstal steel mill.
These are the most important news of the war in Ukraine this Saturday, June 4:
- 07:21 (BOG) Another Russian ship arrives in Mariupol for Ukrainian steel
A new ship arrived at the port of the city taken over by Moscow forces with the intention of extracting steel from the country and transferring it to Russia, something that kyiv denounced as an illegal looting of resources.
A previous ship took 2,500 tons of rolled steel coils and brought them to Rostov on May 31.
At the same time, the official TASS agency reported that the Ukrainian dock in Berdyansk, also controlled by Russia, will resume operations in the coming days.
- 06:58 (BOG) Russia hits a Western weapons training center
The artillery training center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, located in Sumy, in the north-east of the country, was hit by high-precision missiles.
Foreign instructors were there training soldiers to use US howitzers, according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
On the other hand, the spokesman added that in Odessa, another remote attack destroyed “a deployment point of foreign mercenaries.” They also shot down a plane carrying weapons and ammunition.
- 06:28 (BOG) Pro-Russian Donetsk advance on Sloviansk
Separatists from the Donbass region said on Saturday that they are heading for the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, which, along with Kramatorsk, is one of the main targets for Russian forces to complete the occupation of Donetsk province.
“Our troops are advancing towards Sloviansk,” the Donetsk Territorial Defense General Command wrote on its Telegram account after the militias took control of Brusivka and Sosnove.
- 06:02 (BOG) Ukrainian intelligence in contact with Azovstal prisoners
Local services maintain communication with the fighters who were captured after their surrender at the Mariupol steelworks. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy said that kyiv is doing everything possible to free them. “It is through Intelligence that we are learning about the conditions of detention, food and possible release,” he added.
However, the fate of the prisoners is completely uncertain after Russian authorities said they will only think about an exchange after they are tried.
“We know that everyone will be here in kyiv. We are doing everything possible to make it so,” said the Interior Minister. The Kremlin wants the 2,000 soldiers who surrendered in Azovstal to be treated by international standards.
- 05:37 (BOG) Ukraine forces Russian forces to retreat in Severodonetsk
The governor of Lugansk, Serhiy Haidai, stated that the resistance prevailed over the scourge of Russian artillery and managed to advance positions, causing the invaders to retreat. “Russia hasn’t completely taken over the city yet,” he warned.
The official estimates that “20 percent” of the town was recovered. “As soon as we get a lot of Western long-range weapons, we’ll push their artillery back and then the infantry will run,” he added. The Ukrainian military has the Severodonetsk industrial zone under control.
Haidai also reported through a television broadcast that the bridges over the Severy Donetsk River had been destroyed by Russia in an attempt to prevent reinforcements and supplies from arriving.
In the neighboring city of Lysychansk, the context worsens. With Moscow’s presence growing stronger, Mayor Oleksandr Zaika said that 60% of infrastructure and homes were destroyed and have no communication services.
With EFE and AFP
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