Russian forces reach centre of Ukraine`s industrial city

US announced a new $700 million weapons package for Kyiv which will include advanced rocket systems, reports Reuters.

Russian forces fought their way into the centre of Ukraine`s industrial city of Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday, edging closer to claiming a big prize in their offensive in the eastern Donbas region. But in a boost for Ukraine, locked in a grinding struggle against Russia`s invading army, the United States announced a new $700 million weapons package for Kyiv which will include advanced rocket systems capable of hitting targets up to 80 km (50 miles) away.

Moscow accused the United States of adding "fuel to the fire". 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the supply of the rocket launchers raised the risk of a "third country" being dragged into the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine promised it will not use the systems to hit targets inside Russia. US President Joe Biden hopes extending Ukraine`s artillery reach will help push Moscow to negotiate an end to the war, now in its fourth month.

After days of heavy fighting around Sievierodonetsk, much of which has been laid to waste by Russian bombardments, Russian troops were inching forward through the city streets. Ukraine says about 70% of the city is under Russian control.

"The enemy has entered the centre of Sievierodonetsk and is trying to take up positions," Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said at a briefing.

If Russia captures the city and its smaller twin Lysychansk on the west bank of the Siverskyi Donets river, it will hold all of Luhansk, one of two provinces in the Donbas that Moscow claims on behalf of separatists.

Capturing Luhansk in its entirety would fulfill one of Russian President Vladimir Putin`s main aims and solidify a shift in battlefield momentum after his forces were pushed back from the capital Kyiv and from northern Ukraine.