Ukraine’s military may have to “pull back” to stronger positions in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk amid heavy fighting both in the city and frontline villages to the south as Russia pursues a breakthrough in the Donbas, regional leaders have said.

Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk, said the Russians were trying to capture the city by Friday, while the road from neighbouring Lysychansk to Bakhmut 30 miles south-west was being shelled too frequently to be used.

Fighting is still going and no one is going to give up the city even if our military has to step back to stronger positions. This will not mean someone is giving up the city – no one will give up anything. But it’s possible [they] will be forced to pull back,” he said in a TV interview.

But on his Telegram channel, the governor insisted a retreat was not being planned. “Do not breed betrayal. Do not spoil the mood of the armed forces! Nobody is going to surrender Severodonetsk!” he said, adding that Ukraine’s defenders would fight for “every inch”.