OEKRAINE
Oorlogssituatie Oekraïne – dag 121
June 24, 2022 - Ukrainian forces have been told to withdraw from the city of Severodonetsk, the regional governor has said. The city is the focus of Russia's invasion as Moscow tries to take control of large parts of east Ukraine.
Russian forces have made advances in recent days and have nearly encircled the city, and its twin city Lysychansk.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine's formal candidature to join the European Union was a big step towards strengthening Europe at a time when Russia was testing its freedom and unity.
Zelenskiy told EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday that their decision to accept Kyiv's candidacy was among the most important for Ukraine since it broke from the Soviet Union 31 years ago, Reuters reports.