Russia fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine early Monday, with air alerts sounding in many parts of the country, Ukrainian authorities said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has formalised annexing four Ukrainian regions amid major battlefield reversals in recent days.
The recapture of Lyman forced a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin to call for the possible use of low-grade nuclear weapons.
Ukrainian fighters have recaptured more than 20 towns and villages in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours alone.
Residents of the village of Kozacha Lopan, 30 kilometres north of the metropolis of Kharkiv, have hoisted the Ukrainian flag.
“Winter is coming, and all we want to do is provide insulin to the hospitals, provide blankets, provide mattresses…it’s not complicated,” she said.
“Russia has turned the entire Donetsk region into a dangerous hotspot for civilians as well. I call on everyone to evacuate.”
A bit further south, however, Russian units at Spirne had advanced further towards the town of Siversk with massive artillery support and air force deployment.
“The secretary-general strongly urges all parties to enact an urgent and immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
The UN warns that no fewer than 6.5 million people are now internally displaced in Ukraine in two attacks on health facilities by Russia.
