The Russian-controlled Melitopol in the Zaporozhye region has joined the list of regions where local representations have begun to distribute Russian citizenship to the population, and in the meantime, the Russian forces continue their slow progress in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine.
The move was met with a categorical rejection by Kyiv, but it received a growing local demand, according to followers, in light of the current developments and circumstances.
A woman who obtained Russian citizenship said that life has changed, noting that there are new difficulties and complications.
But our hopes are pinned on the best. I was born in the Russian Krasnodar Territory, and what is happening to me is great. Free education and medicine and other things that we used to enjoy and which we value so much will return to us, so I am here today. "
Another said, "We came here because the Russian presence has become a fait accompli that must be accepted and adapted." We want to live in harmony and peace. We are tired of differences and wars. Also, citizenship will give me more freedom to move and work, especially with the great difficulties in obtaining the latter's opportunities at the time. "current.".
Bakhmut is a new target for Russia.
On the ground, Britain suggested that the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk province, eastern Ukraine, would be the next target for the Russian forces after they take control of the entire Lugansk province.
The separatists had announced earlier that their forces, backed by Russian forces, had stormed the northern neighborhoods of Seversk and Solidar.
This means the collapse of the first line of defense of Kramatorsk, leaving only two small cities in front of the Russian forces and the separatists, namely Slaviansk and Bakhmut.
Britain's Ministry of Defense said Russian forces were advancing slowly following bombing and attacks on the town of Seversk in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Russia is pressing ahead with its military plans in Donbass, eastern Ukraine, and advancing west along the Sloviansk-Seversk line to Bakhmut.
The ministry suggested that "Bakhmut" would be the next target for the Russian forces, once they had full control of Seversk.
Bakhmut is located on the river that bears its name, about 90 km from Donetsk, and has an estimated population of 70,000.
Analysts say that the Russian focus on Bakhmut, which is considered a gateway to the Ukrainian west, is due to the Ukrainian forces' entrenchment in it and making it a center for its operations and counter-attacks in recent times.
In addition to the presence of American systems in it, making it a platform for targeting Russian command centers and weapons depots in Donbass,
The fighting around Bakhmut is unrelenting, as nearby Kramatorsk and Mykolaiv are subjected to intense Russian raids, as well as Vinnytsia, which witnessed missile bombardment that left many dead and extensive damage to buildings and facilities.
A Ukrainian official considered these attacks an "approved military strategy" to force Ukrainian cities to surrender, especially since the Russian strikes are far from the front lines.