A Ukrainian counter-attack is “blunting” the “operational momentum” of Russian forces in the contested city of Severodonetsk, the UK Ministry of Defence said. 

Russian troops had gained control of around 70 per cent of the factory city through concentrating combat units and firepower, including members of the Russian-led separatist forces of the self-declared Luhansk People’s Republic.

“These troops are poorly equipped and trained, and lack heavy equipment in comparison to regular Russian units,” the MoD said. 

Ukrainian officials claim that half of the city is now under their control.

"The Russians were in control of about 70 percent of the city, but have been forced back over the past two days," Luhansk regional governor, Sergiy Gaiday, wrote on Telegram.

"The city is divided in two. They are afraid to move freely around the city."