Ukrainian Army controlling Severodonetsk industrial zone, fighting underway, says Luhansk governor

"The fighting is quite dynamic. Our defenders have managed to go on a counteroffensive for some time, they liberated almost half of the town," he said.

"The Ukrainian military is controlling the town's industrial zone, but now the situation has worsened for us."

Hayday said that the shelling of settlements in the region had intensified.

"Schastia is 90% destroyed, Popasna is also 80% destroyed. Rubizhne is destroyed, Severodonetsk is being destroyed now, and Lysychansk is being destroyed in parallel," the governor said.

"The Russians are destroying Luhansk Oblast. They’re leaving only ruins and scorched earth."

Earlier Hayday said that the Ukrainian military had cleared and was in control of half of Severodonetsk.

At the same time, the invaders could use all their military equipment and reserves soon to capture the town by June 10, he said.

About 15,000 local residents remain in the town, but evacuation is impossible due to constant fighting.

According to the President's Office, Severodonetsk is among the settlements in the Donbas that has been completely destroyed by the Russian invaders.