Ukraine news live: Three die after explosions hit Russian city near Ukraine border; ‘Lysychansk could fall,’ says Zelenskyy adviser | World News

An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has conceded that Lysychansk – Ukraine’s last big bastion in the strategic eastern province of Luhansk – could fall.

Fighting has intensified in Lysychansk.

Rodion Miroshnik, ambassador to Russia of the pro-Moscow self-styled Luhansk People’s Republic, told Russian television “Lysychansk has been brought under control,” but added: “Unfortunately, it is not yet liberated.”

Russian media showed video of Luhansk militia parading in Lysychansk streets waving flags and cheering – but Ukraine National Guard spokesman Ruslan Muzychuk told Ukrainian TV the city remained in Ukrainian hands.

“Now there are fierce battles near Lysychansk, however, fortunately, the city is not surrounded and is under the control of the Ukrainian army,” Mr Muzychuk said.

Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces had finally crossed the Siverskyy Donets river and were approaching the city from the north.

“This is indeed a threat. We shall see. I do not rule out any one of a number of outcomes here. Things will become much more clear within a day or two,” he said.

“If Lysychansk is taken, strategically it becomes more difficult for the Russians to continue their offensive. The front lines will be flatter and there will be a frontal attack rather than from the flanks.”