Forty-one mine workers have been trapped underground in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region after Ukraine struck the Bilorichenska ​coal mine, a ​Russian-installed official said ​on Monday. "All the relevant services are taking steps ​to rescue the ​miners and restore power ‌to ⁠the mine," Leonid Pasechnik, the Moscow-appointed head of the ​region, said, Reuters reported.&nbsp;He ​stated that contact with the miners had already been established, and a ​supply of ​drinking water had been made available for them. The incident occurred amid ongoing cross-border strikes in the Russia–Ukraine War, with critical infrastructure increasingly becoming a target.&nbsp;(This is a developing story. More details are awaited)&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-abandon-language-of-ultimatums-russia-advises-us-to-return-to-negotiations-amid-trump-s-expletive-filled-threat-1775437620765">'Abandon language of ultimatums': Russia issues first response after Trump's expletive-laden threat to Iran</a>

Moscow-appointed head of the ​region ​said ⁠contact with ​the miners had ​already ⁠been established, and ⁠a ​supply of ​drinking water had been made available for them. The incident occurred amid ongoing cross-border strikes in the Russia–Ukraine War.

Forty-one mine workers have been trapped underground in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region after Ukraine struck the Bilorichenska coal mine, a Russian-installed official said on Monday. "All the relevant services are taking steps to rescue the miners and restore power ‌to ⁠the mine," Leonid Pasechnik, the Moscow-appointed head of the region, said, Reuters reported. He stated that contact with the miners had already been established, and a supply of drinking water had been made available for them. The incident occurred amid ongoing cross-border strikes in the Russia–Ukraine War, with critical infrastructure increasingly becoming a target. (This is a developing story. More details are awaited) Also read: 'Abandon language of ultimatums': Russia issues first response after Trump's expletive-laden threat to Iran

Moscow-appointed head of the ​region ​said ⁠contact with ​the miners had ​already ⁠been established, and ⁠a ​supply of ​drinking water had been made available for them. The incident occurred amid ongoing cross-border strikes in the Russia–Ukraine War.

41 miners trapped after Ukraine strike hits coal mine in Russian-controlled Luhansk region

Russia, on Friday (May 12) acknowledged that some of its forces had fallen back from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut following a new Ukrainian offensive. Russia-installed officials in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk said that missiles fired by Kyiv hit two disused factories and several houses in the main city. It also injured six children and a Russian parliamentarian, said Leonid Pasechnik, head of the region.&nbsp;

Russia acknowledges retreat in parts of Bakhmut

Moscow had previously insisted it had repelled an attack along the frontlines and denied Ukraine had made any breakthroughs there, adding on Friday that it had repelled Kyiv’s forces along more than 95 kilometres.&nbsp;

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov later said that Ukraine had launched an assault north of Bakhmut with more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks, which if confirmed, would mark the biggest counteroffensive by Kyiv since November.&nbsp;

According to Konashenkov, Russian troops repelled 26 attacks but fell back to regroup in more favourable positions near the Berkhivka reservoir northwest of Bakhmut.&nbsp;

This comes as the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been leading Moscow’s attack in Bakhmut, accused the Russian army of “fleeing” from around the eastern Ukraine city.&nbsp;

Addressing the defence ministry spokesman’s remarks, Prigozhin said, “What Konashenkov described, unfortunately, is called ‘a rout’ and not a regrouping,” as quoted by Reuters. He has also claimed that the north and south flanks, guarded by regular Russian troops, were crumbling; which Moscow has since denied.&nbsp;

Prigozhin also accused Russia’s leadership of downplaying the gravity of the situation and that “the flanks are failing, the front is collapsing”. He added, “For this reason, we must stop lying immediately,” said the Wagner chief in a video statement released on social media.&nbsp;

Ukrainian missiles hit parts of Luhansk: Russia-installed officials

According to the Russian-installed official,&nbsp;Pasechnik, head of the region annexed by Russia last year, six children had been injured. Russian officials in the region also said a member of the State Duma (lower house of Russia’s parliament), Viktor Volodatsky, was also injured.&nbsp; 
 
In a post on Telegram, authorities in Luhansk said two Ukrainian-made “grom” tactical missiles have damaged or destroyed administrative buildings at a packaging plant and a factory producing cleaning materials, in the main city which is about 100 kilometres behind the frontlines.

Ukraine claims parts of Bakhmut

Kyiv, on Friday, said that it had retaken swathes of ground near the frontline Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles amid the ongoing conflict. “In three days of counter-offensive activity, the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Bakhmut sector have liberated 17.3 sq. km (6.6 sq. miles) of territory,” said Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for the “east” group of Ukrainian forces, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russians were “already internally ready for defeat. They have already lost this war in their minds”. So far, both sides have reported massive gains for Ukraine in the six months, however, Kyiv is yet to confirm if the long-planned counteroffensive has officially begun.&nbsp;

In an interview, earlier this week, Zelensky said Kyiv needed more time for equipment to arrive for the offensive while Prigozhin called that deceptive and has previously claimed that the Ukrainian offensive has already begun.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

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Russia, on Friday (May 12) acknowledged that some of its forces had fallen back from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut following a new Ukrainian offensive. Russia-installed officials in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk said that missiles fired by Kyiv hit two disused factories and several houses in the main city.

Russia, on Friday (May 12) acknowledged that some of its forces had fallen back from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut following a new Ukrainian offensive. Russia-installed officials in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk said that missiles fired by Kyiv hit two disused factories and several houses in the main city. It also injured six children and a Russian parliamentarian, said Leonid Pasechnik, head of the region. Russia acknowledges retreat in parts of Bakhmut Moscow had previously insisted it had repelled an attack along the frontlines and denied Ukraine had made any breakthroughs there, adding on Friday that it had repelled Kyiv’s forces along more than 95 kilometres. Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov later said that Ukraine had launched an assault north of Bakhmut with more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks, which if confirmed, would mark the biggest counteroffensive by Kyiv since November. According to Konashenkov, Russian troops repelled 26 attacks but fell back to regroup in more favourable positions near the Berkhivka reservoir northwest of Bakhmut. This comes as the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been leading Moscow’s attack in Bakhmut, accused the Russian army of “fleeing” from around the eastern Ukraine city. Addressing the defence ministry spokesman’s remarks, Prigozhin said, “What Konashenkov described, unfortunately, is called ‘a rout’ and not a regrouping,” as quoted by Reuters. He has also claimed that the north and south flanks, guarded by regular Russian troops, were crumbling; which Moscow has since denied. Prigozhin also accused Russia’s leadership of downplaying the gravity of the situation and that “the flanks are failing, the front is collapsing”. He added, “For this reason, we must stop lying immediately,” said the Wagner chief in a video statement released on social media. Ukrainian missiles hit parts of Luhansk: Russia-installed officials According to the Russian-installed official, Pasechnik, head of the region annexed by Russia last year, six children had been injured. Russian officials in the region also said a member of the State Duma (lower house of Russia’s parliament), Viktor Volodatsky, was also injured. In a post on Telegram, authorities in Luhansk said two Ukrainian-made “grom” tactical missiles have damaged or destroyed administrative buildings at a packaging plant and a factory producing cleaning materials, in the main city which is about 100 kilometres behind the frontlines. Ukraine claims parts of Bakhmut Kyiv, on Friday, said that it had retaken swathes of ground near the frontline Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles amid the ongoing conflict. “In three days of counter-offensive activity, the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Bakhmut sector have liberated 17.3 sq. km (6.6 sq. miles) of territory,” said Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for the “east” group of Ukrainian forces, as quoted by Reuters. In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russians were “already internally ready for defeat. They have already lost this war in their minds”. So far, both sides have reported massive gains for Ukraine in the six months, however, Kyiv is yet to confirm if the long-planned counteroffensive has officially begun. In an interview, earlier this week, Zelensky said Kyiv needed more time for equipment to arrive for the offensive while Prigozhin called that deceptive and has previously claimed that the Ukrainian offensive has already begun. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Several reported injured after Ukrainian missiles strike in Luhansk; Russia admits retreat north of Bakhmut

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Russia on Saturday (January 28) claimed that at least 14 people were killed and 24 were injured in the Ukrainian strike in the eastern Lugansk region. The Russian defence ministry said that the strikes were at a hospital. In a statement, the defence ministry said that on Saturday morning in the town of Novoaidar, the Ukrainian forces "deliberately attacked the building of a district hospital with rockets of a US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system". The ministry added that 14 were killed and 24 wounded among the "hospital patients and medical staff". ALSO READ | Russia accuses US of training ‘Ukrainian IT Army’, recruiting hackers for cyberattacks Watch this report: × Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official said that three people were killed and at least two others wounded following a Russian strike on the city of Konstantynivka in eastern Ukraine. The local governor said that emergency services, rescue workers and police were at the scene to help people. They were "documenting yet another crime by the Russian occupiers on our land". 3 загиблих, 2 поранених — спустошливі наслідки ранкового обстрілу Костянтинівки. Кожен, хто досі залишається в місті, наражає себе на смертельну небезпеку — росіяни б'ють по цивільних, бо не здатні боротися з української армією. Евакуюйтесь!#StopRussia#RussiaKillsCivilians pic.twitter.com/aG7ZvwkGSJ — Павло Кириленко (@Pavlo_Kyrylenko) January 28, 2023 × Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on social media: "The Russians fired at a residential neighbourhood, damaged four multi-storey buildings, a hotel, garages and civilian cars." He added, "Three civilians were killed. At least two were wounded." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow claims 14 killed in Ukraine strike on hospital

The head of Ukraine's Luhansk separatist region said on Sunday that it could hold a referendum on becoming part of Russia.

"I think that in the near future a referendum will be held on the territory of the republic, during which the people will... express their opinion on joining the Russian Federation," Leonid Pasechnik said as per Russian news agencies.

Russia has supported the separatist rebels in Luhansk and the neighboring Donetsk regions since an insurgency erupted there in 2014 shortly after Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

Moscow recognised there&nbsp;independence on February 21 and then cited their call for military assistance to launch the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

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In talks with Ukraine, Moscow has urged it to acknowledge Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Pasechnik’s statement could herald a shift in the Russian position.

Ukraine said such a referendum in occupied Ukrainian territory would have no legal basis and would face a strong response from the international community, deepening Russia's global isolation.

"All fake referendums in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void and will have no legal validity," Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said in a statement.

"Instead, Russia will facе an even stronger response from the international community, further deepening its global isolation."

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-could-russian-president-vladimir-putin-be-prosecuted-for-war-crimes-in-ukraine-465719">How could Russian President Vladimir Putin be prosecuted for war crimes in Ukraine?</a>

Russian President Putin says what he casts as a "special military operation" was needed to defend Russia against the United States which he said was arming Ukraine and developing it into an "anti-Russia" with the aim of admitting it into the NATO military alliance.

Russian troops have also been besieging Mariupol as taking the strategic port city would give Moscow an unbroken control stretching from the Donbas to the Crimea peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.

Russia also says the operation was needed to defend Russian-speaking populations against persecution from Ukraine's government which it says is a puppet controlled by Washington.

Ukraine says such claims are simply a pretext for occupation and that Moscow does not understand that Ukraine is a sovereign country.

After Russian forces in 2014 took control of Crimea, first annexed by Russia in 1783, a referendum on joining Russia was held. Voters chose overwhelmingly to join Russia. Ukraine said the referendum was illegal and that Crimea is part of Ukraine.

The West imposed sanctions on Russia over the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Moscow says the majority of the people of Crimea wanted to join Russia. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The head of Ukraine's Luhansk separatist region said on Sunday that it could hold a referendum on becoming part of Russia. "I think that in the near future a referendum will be held on the territory of the republic, during which the people will.

The head of Ukraine's Luhansk separatist region said on Sunday that it could hold a referendum on becoming part of Russia. "I think that in the near future a referendum will be held on the territory of the republic, during which the people will... express their opinion on joining the Russian Federation," Leonid Pasechnik said as per Russian news agencies. Russia has supported the separatist rebels in Luhansk and the neighboring Donetsk regions since an insurgency erupted there in 2014 shortly after Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Moscow recognised there independence on February 21 and then cited their call for military assistance to launch the invasion of Ukraine on February 24. In talks with Ukraine, Moscow has urged it to acknowledge Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Pasechnik’s statement could herald a shift in the Russian position. Ukraine said such a referendum in occupied Ukrainian territory would have no legal basis and would face a strong response from the international community, deepening Russia's global isolation. "All fake referendums in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void and will have no legal validity," Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said in a statement. "Instead, Russia will facе an even stronger response from the international community, further deepening its global isolation." Also see | How could Russian President Vladimir Putin be prosecuted for war crimes in Ukraine? Russian President Putin says what he casts as a "special military operation" was needed to defend Russia against the United States which he said was arming Ukraine and developing it into an "anti-Russia" with the aim of admitting it into the NATO military alliance. Russian troops have also been besieging Mariupol as taking the strategic port city would give Moscow an unbroken control stretching from the Donbas to the Crimea peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. Russia also says the operation was needed to defend Russian-speaking populations against persecution from Ukraine's government which it says is a puppet controlled by Washington. Ukraine says such claims are simply a pretext for occupation and that Moscow does not understand that Ukraine is a sovereign country. After Russian forces in 2014 took control of Crimea, first annexed by Russia in 1783, a referendum on joining Russia was held. Voters chose overwhelmingly to join Russia. Ukraine said the referendum was illegal and that Crimea is part of Ukraine. The West imposed sanctions on Russia over the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Moscow says the majority of the people of Crimea wanted to join Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Head of Ukraine's Luhansk separatist region says it may vote to join Russia

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41 miners trapped after Ukraine strike hits coal mine in Russian-controlled Luhansk region

Several reported injured after Ukrainian missiles strike in Luhansk; Russia admits retreat north of Bakhmut

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow claims 14 killed in Ukraine strike on hospital

Head of Ukraine's Luhansk separatist region says it may vote to join Russia