Russia claimed yesterday to have the strategic Ukrainian city of Lysychansk encircled and to have taken the entire frontline Lugansk region, which would be a decisive breakthrough for Moscow's forces seeking control of the country's east.
The development came as Russia reported Ukraine launched three cluster missiles at Belgorod, killing four people and Moscow ally Belarus said it intercepted missiles.
Lysychansk is the last major city in the Lugansk area of the eastern Donbas still in Ukrainian hands, and its capture would signal a deeper push into the region - Moscow's focus since retreating from Kyiv.
But there were conflicting reports, with Ukraine denying an encirclement of the city, located across a river from Severodonetsk, a city Russian forces seized last week.
Russia's claim of a breakthrough came as Moscow said its anti-aircraft defenses shot down three Tochka-U cluster missiles launched by "Ukrainian nationalists" against Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border. But it admitted 11 buildings and 39 houses were damaged.
