Ukraine's withdrawal from Severodonetsk may take some time, says military administration head

"It's not a matter of hours or days. It may take some time," he said.

At the same time, Vlasenko said that the withdrawal of the Ukrainian military from the town of Lysychansk was out of question.

He said that the Russian invaders were advancing in all directions near Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, and using aircraft and Tochka-U missile systems.

"Aviation is working, Tochka-U, the whole set of artillery is working," Vlasenko said.

"The offensive is in all directions. They're storming Lysychansk, storming the Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway. And Severodonetsk too, the surrounding villages – Synetskyi, Pavlohrad, Syrotyne, Borovske. Shelling and fighting are everywhere."

The military administration head added that about 7,000-8,000 people remained in Severodonetsk, as well as 10,000 in Lysychansk. Prior to the large-scale Russian invasion, each of these towns had a population of 100,000.

Early on June 24, it was reported that Ukrainian units had left part of the Severodonetsk industrial zone.

Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov said that "it is bitter to retreat, but this decision is long overdue."

Help NV continue its work reporting on the Russian invasion