Ukraine: Russia is trying to launch an attack from several directions

Russia has focused its main offensive in the northern Luhansk region, where it is trying to launch a simultaneous attack in nine directions, the commander of the Ukrainian army said on Wednesday.
He added, in an online post, that the Ukrainian forces “continue to struggle valiantly (in defense) of the Luhansk region,” noting that the Russians are using aircraft, rocket-propelled grenades and artillery.
For its part, Russia on Wednesday accused Ukrainian soldiers of obstructing the evacuation of civilians through a “humanitarian corridor” from a factory in the city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine.
“The Russian side provided a humanitarian corridor in order to allow the evacuation of civilians from the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk. Despite all measures (…) the Kyiv authorities thwarted the humanitarian operation,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Russia confirmed that it would establish a “humanitarian corridor” on Wednesday from 0500 GMT to 1700 GMT in order to allow civilians who have taken refuge in the Azot plant to leave Severodonetsk.