Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk province, said troops are still holding positions in the city of Severodonetsk but he would retreat if the order is given, putting Russia on the verge of capturing it.
The European Union says it has targeted Russian military officers linked to atrocities in Ukraine in its latest round of sanctions, including top brass accused of war crimes in Bucha and the siege of Mariupol.
'We are only getting stronger,' regional governor says as Russian forces further advance on city of Severodonetsk. 'Hatred of the enemy, faith in our victory make us unbreakable'