Defense Ministry: Enemy throws all forces into capturing Luhansk region by June 26

"Now, without exaggeration, the decisive fighting is underway in Sievierodonetsk area, and the enemy plans to fulfill the task set by its leadership, namely to reach the frontiers of Luhansk region approximately by June 26. And now the Russian army has thrown virtually all its forces and hardware into assaulting the surrounding localities. They are trying to break through the defense of our troops and encircle the group of our troops that defends Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk," Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said during the nationwide telethon.

According to her, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting for every meter of Ukrainian land, destroying the forces and equipment of the enemy, who is suffering very serious losses.

"Our troops are doing everything possible to hold our territory and thwart the encirclement. But we must also understand that the enemy has an advantage in weapons, so the situation is extremely difficult," the deputy minister said.

Asked about the situation in Kharkiv region, Malyar said that those, who follow the news, know that the Armed Forces of Ukraine were nearing the state border in Kharkiv region.

"Both Kharkiv and the region were victoriously liberated from the enemy, and at this distance, which remains to reach the border, the enemy is currently making every effort to prevent the Armed Forces from reaching the border. The fighting for that continues," she said.

The active phase of the war in Ukraine is underway, and today there is no safe place or area, Malyar stressed.

"Almost the entire territory of Ukraine is under threat of rocket strikes. We can't talk about the invasion in advance, we need to look at the dynamics of the fighting," Malyar explained.

As reported, from February 24 to June 20, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 33,800 Russian personnel.

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