KYIV: According to reports, Russian shelling of the Azot chemical plant in the Ukraine city of Sievierodonetsk has caused a huge fire following a leakage of tonnes of radiator oil. However, no casualties were reported. Around 800 civilians have taken refuge in the plant and underground shelters in the adjoining areas, said the city mayor.

The plant and the nearby areas are still under the control of Ukrainian soldiers. Meantime, separatist leaders from the Luhansk region said that the Russian troops had not planned to attack the chemical plant. Former British soldier Jordan Gatley, who came to fight for the Ukrainian armed forces, was killed in Sievierodonetsk. The city is currently witnessing attacks similar to those launched in Mariupol.

If the Ukrainian troops had resisted the Russian attacks at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, situations are much worse in Sievierodonetsk. It is estimated that Russia is likely to capture the city soon.

Meantime, the Russian defence ministry said that their cruise missiles have destroyed the depot containing US and European weapons in western Ukraine’s Ternopil region. So far, 32,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, claimed Ukraine President Volodomyr Zolenskyy.