Bloody Battle Breaks Out In Sievierodonetsk Street, President Zelenksy Ensures His Troops Reclaim Russian-Occupied Territories

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his troops were fighting to retake all the territory occupied by Russian troops, as bloody street fighting broke out in the city of Sievierodonetsk.

"We have lost too many people to just give up our territory," President Zelensky said via video link at an event hosted by Britain's Financial Times newspaper.

"We must achieve the full deoccupation of our entire territory," he continued.

The president's statement responded emphatically to suggestions that Ukraine should hand over territory to Russia to end the war, which is now in its fourth month.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a recent interview it was important not to 'embarrass' Moscow, comments interpreted in Ukraine implying that they should accept some of Russia's demands.

"We will not embarrass anyone, we will respond in the same way," he said in response to President Macron's comments.

As he spoke, Ukrainian troops in the ruins of Sievierodonetsk were trying to hold on to gains, which Kyiv said his forces had made a surprise counterattack that changed momentum there last week.

The governor of the Lugansk region, Serhiy Gaidai, said defenders found it difficult to fend off a Russian attack in the center of Sievierodonetsk, a small industrial city in the east.

"Russia is trying with all its might to seize Sievierodonetsk and cut off the highway from Lysychansk to Bakhmut," he said in an online post.

"In the regional center it is difficult to prevent attacks, but the occupiers do not control the city," he continued.

Meanwhile, Moscow says its troops have advanced. Reuters was unable to independently verify the situation on the ground.