Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has shared footage of the carnage his forces wreaked in a strategic Ukrainian village.
The footage, shared by the Head of the Chechen Republic on 19th June, shows heavily damaged buildings and the dead bodies of several Ukrainian troops.
Following heavy fighting, the village, Metiolkine (Metelkino in Russian), is now under the control of the pro-Russian Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR).
Kadyrov wrote: “Akhmat special forces units, together with the second corps of the LPR People’s Militia, are completing the final stage of clearing the village of Metelkino from the enemy. Most of the Ukrainian military voluntarily laid down their arms, and those who try to resist are destroyed on the spot.
“This settlement was of great strategic importance for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since from here the Ukrainian Nazis had the opportunity to break into Severodonetsk and divert the forces of Russian troops from the Azot plant. But no such luck. The village was cleared of nationalists, mines and ‘secrets’.
“I express my sincere gratitude to my dear brother, assistant to the Head of the Chechen Republic for the Apta Alaudinov security unit, to all the personnel of the Chechen special forces and the second corps of the LPR People’s Militia for high-quality and productive work! Very little time will pass and the whole Donbass will praise your names for ridding the country of nationalist scum.”
Governor of Luhansk Oblast Serhiy Haidai said on 20th June: “Control over Metiolkine near Sievierodonetsk has been lost…
“The Russian fascists intensified artillery and air fire. The Russians are working hard on the Sievierodonetsk industrial zone and the outskirts of the city. The same is true in the Toshkivka and Ustynivka districts, because the orcs want to make a breakthrough there, and for this purpose they have gathered a large amount of equipment there.
“Battles are taking place in many villages around Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk. Unfortunately, we do not currently control Metiolkine near the centre of the oblast.
“The orcs continue to use ‘creeping’ tactics – Luhansk Oblast is destroyed with all possible weapons
“‘Silent’ evacuation continues from Lysychansk by military administration staff, police, rescuers and volunteers. From settlements where active hostilities proceed, people are taken out by the military on armoured vehicles.”
In a media interview, Haidai said: “Lots more shelling from artillery and the air. This is what is happening in Sievierodonetsk now. The entire perimeter of the city and near the Azot plant is constantly being shelled, and in the direction of Toshkivka and Ustinovka, because the enemy is trying to make a breakthrough there, it will gain a foothold.
“Russia poured in a huge amount of equipment, dozens of tanks, and heavy artillery. Very heavy fighting, and yesterday, the enemy sent dozens of pieces of equipment to break through. Unfortunately we do not control Metiolkine today, and the enemy continues to build up reserves. We see that they are pushing through the defence line with creeping tactics.
“But the loss of one settlement is not yet a lost war. You must believe in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation” to “liberate the Donbass”. Today marks the 117th day of the invasion.
