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On 2 March, fighting was reported in almost all the villages near Sievierodonetsk.[3] Four days later, governor of Luhansk OblastSerhiy Haidai stated that fighting was taking place on the outskirts of Lysychansk, Sievierodonetsk and Rubizhne.[4]
Battle
Ruined buildings in Rubizhne following the battle
March
On 17 March, Russian forces advanced into Rubizhne.[5] By noon, they had captured the western and northwestern outskirts, and were assaulting the southern part of the city.[6] Separatist troops raised the flag of the Luhansk People's Republic above a city administration building. Fighting continued the following day.[7] Between 19 and 20 March, Russian and LPR forces captured the village of Varvarivka [uk], north of Rubizhne.[8]
On 22 March, the head of the LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, claimed that while "almost 80% of the territory" of the Luhansk region had been taken, Rubizhne had not yet been "liberated", noting that units of the People's Militia of the LPR were still fighting to take the city under their control.[9] Two days later, Ukrainian government officials in Luhansk Oblast said that Russian forces had made advances in Rubizhne.[10]
April
By 6 April, Russian forces had reportedly captured 60% of the city of Rubizhne,[11] shells and rockets were landing in the city on "regular, sustained intervals".[12] On 11 and 12 April, continuing Russian attacks gained no ground.[13][14]
On the morning of 18 April, Russia renewed its offensive in Donbas.[15][16] Russian and LPR forces continued advancing in Rubizhne on 19 and 20 April,[17] capturing the central part of the city.[18] During this time, parts of the city were subject to Ukrainian shelling from Novodruzhesk.[19] As of 26 April, the Russian military was slowly advancing west and south of the city in an attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces.[20]
May
On 2 May, Haidai reported that the village of Mykhailivka, Sievierodonetsk Raion [uk] was shelled by Russian forces, resulting in the death of a priest.[21] The Ukrainian military claimed on 4 May that Russian forces had yet to take full control of Rubizhne.[22] It was reported that Russian forces seized Rubizhne and the nearby town of Voevodivka on 12 May 2022.[1]
Writing for the BBC, Quentin Sommerville claimed that during the fighting for Rubizhne, Russian forces fired up to 1500 shells per day to "wipe out" ground resistance before they advanced.[23]
Casualties
At least 13 civilians were killed and 14 wounded due to fighting in the city.[24][25][26][27]
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