Zelensky: Human Cost for Severodonetsk Battle Is 'Terrifying'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the human cost of the battle for control of Severodonetsk is "Terrifying", amid a violent attack by Russian forces, in an attempt to seize the strategic city in eastern Ukraine.

"The human cost of this battle is very high for us. It is simply terrifying," Zelensky tweeted.

"Military history will undoubtedly mention Donbas battle as one of the fiercest in Europe," he added.

Earlier, Zelensky said that the Russian army is losing over “300 dead a day” because of the war, according to the British newspaper “The Guardian”.

Moreover, the Ukrainian president warned that Russia’s takeover and blockade of Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea would lead to “genocide” due to food shortages around the world.

“We have 20 billion worth of grain that has been blocked in Ukrainian ports,” Zelensky said.

“We will have an additional 50 billion tons of grain and food in Ukraine, which will remain in Ukraine due to the Russian blockade,” he added.

In addition, Zelensky confirmed that Russia has taken control of 3,620 residential settlements in Ukraine since the start of the military operation on February 24.

In a press statement, Zelensky explained that these residential settlements include large cities and small towns, all of which have witnessed destruction and have become unsuitable for urban life.