Sievierodonetsk Raion

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Russian forces continue the offensive against Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk in the Luhansk region

Ukraine has pledged to do "everything" to defend Donbas, where an intensifying Russian offensive is prompting Kiev's forces to consider a strategic retreat from some key areas to avoid being surrounded.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of carrying out a "genocide" in the eastern region of Donbas, where the city of Severodonetsk is suffering an onslaught of Russian shelling.

Russia has raised the age for recruiting new soldiers, Kuleba has criticized NATO, Putin has met with wounded soldiers. Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Russia attacked 40 cities in Donbas in the span of hours