Russia Claims Encirclement of 15,000 Ukrainian Militants and Mercenaries in Donbass

Russian troops are known to have advanced in Donbass and captured most of the Luhansk region.

Intense fighting is reported to be taking place in the city of Severodonetsk, the largest Luhansk city under Ukrainian control.

Taking control of the city of Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk was thought to allow Russia to target Sloviansk further west in the Donetsk region.