Ukraine suffering painful losses, needs anti-missile weapons, Zelenskiy says

Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses fighting Russian troops in the Kharkiv region and in the eastern city Sievierodonetsk, President Volodymyr Zilenskiy said on Tuesday (14 June).

He also stated that Ukraine needs modern anti-missile weapons right now and said there was no reason for partners to delay delivery. He said that some Russian rockets were evading defenses and causing casualties.

After Russia destroyed the bridge leading to Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine claimed its forces were still trying evacuation of civilians. This was the latest stage in a long battle in the Donbass region. Moscow wants to take it.

"The most intense battles, as ever, are in Sievierodonetsk, and other nearby communities and towns. "The losses are unfortunately very painful," stated Zelenskiy.

"But we must hold strong - keeping strong in Donbas is so crucial. He said that the enemy will lose more strength if it suffers losses there.

Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine is also experiencing "painful loss" in Kharkiv, east of Kyiv. Russia is trying to reaffirm its position there after it was pushed back recently. He said, "Battles continue there and we must keep fighting, fighting very hard."