NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia's war in Ukraine could take years. Ukraine, with the supply of state-of-art weaponry, could have an improved chance of freeing its eastern region of Donbas from Russian control. “We must prepare for the fact that it could take years,” Stoltenberg told the Guardian. “We must not let up in supporting Ukraine, even if the costs are high, not only for military support but also because of rising energy and food prices,” he added.
Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai said that Russia, in a bid to gain control of the region, was sending more reserve troops from other battle zones to Sievierodonetsk. A NATO summit next month in Madrid is expected to agree on an assistance package for Ukraine—aimed to help the country to move from old Soviet-era weaponry to NATO standard gear.
Gaidai in the meantime reported “tough battles” in Metolkine. And the Ukrainian military said Sievierodonetsk faced heavy artillery and rocket fire due to Russian forces attacking areas around it. As the battle continues, Ukrainian forces suffered a setback in Metolkine, south-east of Sievierodonetsk. Ukraine, on Saturday, had said that it would prevail against Moscow.
