"The situation in Kurakhove is really quite difficult right now, because a significant part of the city has been destroyed," Khortytsia group of forces spokesperson Viktor Trehubov said on national television Jan.

Russia has more than one reason to occupy Shevchenko, one being its strategic importance. The next is more significant, for Shevchenko has one of the largest lithium deposits on Ukrainian territory.

Russia said on Monday its forces had made important gains in eastern Ukraine while continuing to fend off a new Ukrainian offensive inside the Kursk region of western Russia, where a second day of fierce fighting was under way.