More than 800 terrified Ukrainian civilians sheltering in Severodonetsk chemical plant in repeat of Azovstal horrors

HUNDREDS of terrified Ukrainian civilians are still sheltering at a chemical plant in Severodonetsk as the battle for the city rages on. Over 800 people are cowering in several bomb shelters underneath the Azot plant amid Russian airstrikes, according to Ukrainian sources. East2WestOver 800 Ukrainians are still reportedly sheltering underneath the Azot plant in Severodonetsk[/caption] The chemical plant has become a prime location in the battle for the cityRex East2WestA nitric acid explosion occurred last week after Russian attacks[/caption] Russian shelling caused a strong fire today after tonnes of oil leaked in what has become one of the bloodiest battles since their invasion began. The citizens trapped are made up of about 200 employees as well as 600 residents of the city. It comes after Kremlin forces struck the chemical plant with missiles last week, causing a cloud of deadly nitric acid to spew in to the air. Vladimir Putin’s men have been pushing hard to take the strategic city Severodonetsk in a bid to turn the tide of the war. Read More in World News FIGHT FOR LIFE I swam ten miles through shark infested sea in the dark - I thought I'd die 'SWAP DEAL' Ukraine 'will swap Russian prisoners' to free hero Brit fighters on death row Despite weeks of fighting, neither side has seemingly gained the upper hand in a conflict that has pulverised the city. But Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said today that forces were holding onto the Azot chemical plant. He said earlier today that Russian forces controlled most of the city but Ukraine had retained Azot chemical plant. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Mr Haidai wrote: “The information about the blockade of the Azot plant is a lie. Most read in News PUTIN UP A FIGHT Putin issues CHILLING threat to Sweden as he aims 'to take back land' MUM’S ‘PROTECTOR’ Boy, 15, stabbed to death while trying to save mum called a ‘hero’ BORN & INBRED Inside incest family so inbred their skin turned BLUE & blood ran brown ROYAL FEE Glum Andrew called ‘absolute fool’ as sale of £17M chalet is 'frozen over debt' COP RAPE CASE Dad-of-3 policeman, 48, 'raped mum while her kids were asleep in same house' LOST AND FOUND Woman in China finds out missing lover is with his WIFE & kids in Norwich “Our forces are holding an industrial zone of Severodonetsk and are destroying the Russian army in the town.” Ukraine has appealed for swifter deliveries of heavy weapons from the West and claim Russian forces have at least 10 times more artillery pieces than they can muster. However, even when outgunned, Ukraine’s army has proved more resilient than expected in early phases of fighting. And president Volodymyr Zelensky has stayed defiant in the face of increasing Kremlin aggression. He said: “We are definitely going to prevail in this war that Russia has started,” Zelensky told a conference in Singapore via videolink. “It is on the battlefields in Ukraine that the future rules of this world are being decided. The Ukrainian president also spoke of the larger consequences of the war for the world. “If due to Russian blockades, we are unable to export our foodstuffs, which is so sorely missing in global markets, the world will face an acute and severe food crisis and famine – famine in many countries of Asia and Africa,” he said. After Russia was forced to scale back its initial more sweeping campaign goals, Moscow has turned to expanding control in the east, where pro-Russian separatists had already held territory since 2014. The battle for Severodonetsk and its destruction are eerily similar to the horror attacks on the southern port city of Mariupol. It was reduced to ruins before Russian forces took control of the city last month, with the last Ukrainian defenders surrendering from their redoubt in the Azovstal steel plant. Severodonetsk is one of last areas in the eastern Luhansk region that is still under Ukrainian control. Read More on The Sun OH TOT I was a lobster-eating millionaire at 6, now I'm 15 you'll be stunned by my wealth PRIMANIA I’m a stylist & obsessed with Primark's designer dupes - £1.50 candle is a must If Putin’s forces capture the city, it would give Moscow control of the whole Luhansk region – which forms a part of the Donbas area in the east. The Russian leader had previously demanded the city was captured last week.