The Russian forces continued their attack from several axes on the major cities of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, and intensified their efforts to take full control of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, while Washington was preparing to supply Kyiv with quality weapons.

The Ukrainian governor of Lugansk Province, Sergey Gaidai, said that the Ukrainian forces defending the city of "Severodonetsk" - one of the last large cities under Ukrainian control in the Donbas region - are continuing to fight them, and the attacking Russian forces have not been able to penetrate its defenses.

The local official announced that heavy bombardment was being imposed on the "Bakhmut" road that connects "Leschansk" and "Severodonetsk", which is still under Ukrainian control.

On the other hand, the Russian RIA Novosti news agency reported that Denis Pushilin, the leader of the separatists in Donetsk, demanded an acceleration of the Russian military operation in the Donbass region.

focal point

The Battle of Severodonetsk is a focal point in Russia's war on Ukraine, as Russian forces try to consolidate complete control over Donetsk and Lugansk provinces.

Ukrainian sources pointed to fierce battles in the outskirts of the strategic city of Severodonetsk, in the east of the country.

Russian forces, which constantly bombard the area, use "scorched earth" tactics in Severodonetsk.

Russia has sent thousands of soldiers to the area, which it is attacking from 3 sides, in an attempt to encircle the Ukrainian forces in the city of Severodonetsk, which had a pre-war population of about 100,000, after it finished the battle for control of the coastal city of Mariupol.

Russian forces destroyed a bridge in Severodonetsk last Saturday, making it more difficult to evacuate trapped civilians, estimated at about 10,000 people, about a tenth of its pre-war population.

Commenting on the course of the battles, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hana Maliar said that there are indications that Russia is escalating the fighting, stressing that Ukraine is now in a very difficult and long phase of the conflict.


missile systems

Meanwhile, CNN quoted US officials as saying that the administration of President Joe Biden is preparing to provide Ukraine with long-range missile systems, which are a first requirement for Ukrainian officials.

The network added that the Biden administration is inclined to send the long-range missile systems as part of an aid package to Ukraine that may be announced next week.

The network added that concerns had been raised within the US National Security Council that Ukraine might use long-range missile systems to launch attacks inside Russia.

The network quoted sources as saying that one of the main problems was related to the ability of the MLRS missile system to target a range of up to 300 km.

Western condemnation

In the latest Western reactions, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that a strong and clear response to the violations committed by Russia is very important.

Schultz warned that the war in Ukraine may be far from some countries, but imminent hunger is not far from them, as he put it.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of using hunger as a weapon and of taking the world hostage.

In her statements in Bosnia, Truss called on the Russian president to lift what she called the embargo on Ukrainian grain exports.


Putin's statements

During his participation in the Eurasian Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that it is not possible to curb Russia or any other country in the world, and separate it from the global economy and politics, by imposing sanctions on it.

He also hoped that Western countries would realize the futility of such policies.

Putin also condemned the policies of Western countries towards Russia and the sanctions imposed on it against the background of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, stressing that the violation of international rules and standards in the economic field, and the theft of state funds, are negatively reflected on those countries that practice such a policy.

The Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, rejected what he described as accusations by the West against his country of obstructing the supply of grain from Ukraine.

He said that Russia categorically rejects these accusations, and in turn accuses the West of doing so.

Regarding the concessions that Russia expects from Ukraine to end the war, Peskov said that Kyiv should recognize the actual situation on the ground, and make a realistic assessment, as he put it.

In another context, Peskov said that there are permanent contacts between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Russian and Ukrainian sides, regarding the situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

Putin and Draghi

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi the Russian side's assessment of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations that have been frozen by Kyiv.

Putin also stressed that the restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Russia are exacerbating the global food crisis.

He stressed Russia's readiness to contribute to overcoming it, provided that the restrictions imposed by the West on Russia are lifted.

During the call, which took place at the initiative of the Italian side, Putin stressed Russia's rejection of accusations leveled against it of preventing the supply of agricultural products to world markets.

The Kremlin said in a statement that President Putin also discussed in a phone conversation with Draghi the steps being taken to ensure the safety of navigation in the Azov and Black Seas.


food weapon

On the other hand, White House spokeswoman Karen Jean-Pierre said that there is no talk of lifting sanctions on Russia for the export of Russian or Ukrainian agricultural products.

She added in a press conference that the sanctions imposed by Washington and its allies on Russia do not prevent the export of Russian or Ukrainian agricultural products or the necessary transactions for these exports such as banking and shipping.

The White House spokeswoman said that it is Russia that prevents the export of foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports and is causing hunger in the world, stressing that Russia must immediately stop its war on Ukraine, which is destroying global food security.

Jean-Pierre said that there are no talks about lifting sanctions against Russia in exchange for allowing the passage of Ukrainian agricultural products exports to the world, noting that the sanctions imposed by Washington and its allies on Russia do not prevent the export of Russian or Ukrainian agricultural products.

In turn, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby accused Russia of using the economy and food as a weapon.

He said at a Pentagon news conference that the United States is in talks with its partners and allies to address this.