May 12 – July 3, 2022 · Eastern Ukraine (Luhansk Oblast) Theater
May 12 – July 3, 2022
Following the fall of the Kyiv front, Russia concentrated force on capturing the Luhansk Oblast's administrative capital. The city became a miniature Stalingrad — Ukrainian forces clung to the Azot chemical plant and its tunnel system in a familiar pattern of industrial-structure last stands. For weeks, Ukraine controlled only the plant and a single bridge to the sister city of Lysychansk. Despite fierce resistance, Ukrainian forces were ordered to withdraw on July 3 to avoid encirclement, and Russia captured both cities by early July.
Commanders