Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian attack on the southern outskirts of Lysychansk, the region's governor said on Friday.

Serhiy Gaidai wrote on the Telegram that Russia had, however, taken control of the village of Mykolaivka, located near a key highway to Lysychansk, which has been the focus of heavy fighting.

But Ukrainian troops will have to be withdrawn from the battleground city of Severodonetsk, Gaidai said on television, adding that "remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense."