Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a sobering assessment of the situation in the Donbas, acknowledging that his forces are currently “outnumbered” by a “stronger” Russian presence in the strategic city of Severodonetsk. Despite the disparity in raw combat power, the President insisted that Ukrainian troops are “holding out” in what has become the focal point of the Kremlin’s offensive in the east.
The battle for Severodonetsk—the largest city in the Luhansk region still partially under Kyiv’s control—has descended into a brutal war of attrition. The city is separated from its twin, Lysychansk, by the Siverskyi Donets river, a natural barrier that Zelensky crossed during a daring visit to frontline positions just 24 hours prior to his announcement.
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The Tactical Tug-of-War
Military analysts from the Institute for the Study of War suggest that Ukraine’s ability to launch successful counter-attacks within the city, despite being outnumbered, points to “declining combat power” among Russian units. Nonetheless, the sheer volume of Russian artillery continues to take a devastating toll. In Lysychansk, 67-year-old pensioner Oleksandr Lyakhovets described the situation as a “horror show” after a Russian missile destroyed his home, leaving him with only enough time to rescue his cat before the building was consumed by fire.
As the Kremlin intensifies its efforts to seize the Luhansk Oblast, the UK has mirrored the United States by pledging to supply M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). These track-mounted units represent a significant upgrade for Ukrainian defenders, capable of striking targets with precision at ranges of up to 80 kilometres—effectively doubling the reach of existing hardware.
Comparison of Battlefield Artillery Capabilities
The following table illustrates the shift in capability provided by the newly pledged Western hardware compared to standard Soviet-era systems:
| Artillery Type | Range (Approx.) | Guidance System | Strategic Impact |
| Standard Howitzer (D-30) | 15–22 km | Manual / Visual | Traditional frontline support |
| Soviet BM-21 Grad | 20–45 km | Unguided Rockets | Area saturation; low precision |
| UK/US M270 MLRS | 80 km | GPS / Precision | Strikes on logistics and command centres |
Global Grain “Blackmail”
Beyond the immediate battlefield, the conflict is precipitating a global food security crisis. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Moscow of a deliberate strategy of “blackmail” by blockading the port of Odessa. Approximately 20 million tonnes of wheat currently sit trapped in silos, unable to reach international markets.
President Zelensky warned that if the blockade continues, the amount of trapped grain could surge to 75 million tonnes by the autumn. Blinken also highlighted “credible” reports that Russia is actively stealing Ukrainian grain for its own export profit, further exacerbating the humanitarian threat to developing nations.
Diplomatic Isolation and Retaliation
The diplomatic theatre has been equally volatile. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was forced to cancel a visit to Serbia after three NATO members—Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Montenegro—denied his aircraft overflight rights. Lavrov denounced the move as “unthinkable” and a deprivation of a sovereign state’s right to conduct foreign policy.
Simultaneously, Washington has moved to seize two luxury aircraft owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich, valued at over £320 million ($400 million), as part of a wider crackdown on the financial infrastructure supporting President Putin’s inner circle. In a tit-for-tat response, Moscow has expanded its “stop list,” banning more American officials from entering Russian territory.