Ukraine: Russia captures Metiolkine near Sievierodonetsk

Ukraine’s army has lost control over the locality of Metiolkine near Sievierodonetsk, Serhiy Haidai, the Luhansk governor, says on his Telegram.

“Unfortunately, we are not controlling Metiolkine right now,” he said.

Ramzan Kadyrov announced the capture of Metiolkine earlier on 18 May.

“The AKHMAT Spetsnaz and the LPR militia have liberated the locality of Metiolkine near the town of Sievierodonetsk. Ukraine has had 600 to 700 casualties in the fight for this settlement,” he wrote. The capture of Metiolkine was confirmed yesterday by Russia’s Defence Ministry.

There have been fights over the town of Sievierodonetsk between Russia and Ukraine for the past weeks. All bridges in the town have been destroyed, the local authorities say, and there are everyday reports of civilian casualties.