Russians attack Bakhmut from Popasna, fight near Bilohorivka, Lysychansk oil refinery – local governor

KYIV. Aug 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – On Friday, August 12, Russian invaders tried to attack in the areas of the Lysychansk Oil Refinery and Bilohorivka, but were driven back. The enemy’s attempt to advance from Popasna in the direction of Bakhmut also failed, head of Luhansk regional military administration Serhiy Haidai said.

"The enemy is burning the ground at the entrances to Luhansk region because they cannot overcome these few kilometers. It is difficult to count how many thousands of shells this territory of free Luhansk region has withstood over the past month and a half. The invaders work for hours with artillery, and then storm from several sides at once. On August 12, they tried to attack in the areas of the Lysychansk Oil Refinery and Bilohorivka, but reconnaissance in battle ended with another retreat. They tried to advance from Popasna towards Bakhmut," he wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday morning.

Haidai stressed that the enemy rushed into reconnaissance about ten times, but were repulsed.

"During the day, Russians launched airstrikes near nine settlements. Over the last night, they fired three missiles, used rocket and cannon artillery four times, and mortars twice," the head of the region emphasized.

Haidai also noted a new method of forced mobilization in the occupied cities of Luhansk region.

"While raiding high-rise buildings, they ingratiate themselves with the elderly, offering them small amounts of money or food in exchange for information about men of military age. They are left on duty near the closed military entrances, and wait until one of the male residents will either leave or try to return home. By the way, most of those who are engaged in forced conscription move inside cities only in balaclavas, so that neighbors and acquaintances, whom they hunt, do not recognize them," Haidai wrote.