The fighting is continuing in Sievierodonetsk. Two bridges leading to the Donbas' key eastern city were destroyed, and the third was heavily shelled, according to a regional governor.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian troops were fighting for "every inch" of the city in "very fierce fighting." This was as Russian forces tried to seize control of Sievierodonetsk.
Serhiy Haidai (the governor of the Luhansk regional, which together make up the industrial region in the Donbass), stated Monday on television that Russia controls 70% of the city, and that mass evacuations and humanitarian aid delivery are now impossible because of shelling.
He said that up to 500 people, including 40 children were hiding in a city chemical plant. He was worried about the shelters' strength compared to those at Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. This is where the last pockets of resistance from Ukraine and civilians survived months of heavy bombardment.
This is what you need to know about the latest developments in Ukraine and surrounding countries on Monday.
Amnesty International released Monday's report claiming that hundreds of civilians were killed in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. It claimed it was caused by "indiscriminate Russian bombardment, using banned cluster munitions, and inherently inaccurate rockets," which it claims constitutes a war crime.
According to the organization, its report describes how Russian forces have bombarded Kharkiv's residential areas since Moscow invaded on February 24. According to the organization, its investigation found evidence that Russia's army used cluster munitions and scatterable mines repeatedly. These are both banned under international treaty because of their indiscriminate effect.
NBC News was unable to confirm the details in Amnesty’s report.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent subtle praises to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine war, and pledged his support for Moscow's cause.
The KCNA state news agency stated that Kim congratulated the Russian leader for his country's June 12th national day. He noted that the Russian people had "great successes in achieving the just cause to defend the dignity and safety of their country," but did not mention Ukraine. According to KCNA, he added that the North Korean people are ready to support and encourage them.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg stated Sunday that Turkey's concerns about the proposed NATO membership by Sweden and Finland are valid. He said that "this is about terrorist, it's concerning weapons exports," during a news conference in which he was joined by Sauli Niinisto, the Finnish President.
In the wake of Russia's invasion in Ukraine, both Sweden and Finland submitted formal applications to NATO. Turkey, however, is a major member of the military alliance and opposed to Sweden and Finland joining NATO. They accused them of supporting Kurdish militants, as well as other terrorists, and also accused them of being obstructive.
According to Richard Engel, chief foreign correspondent of NBC News who was there, Russia's invasion has made life more difficult for 200 people with disabilities living in Vilshanka in central Ukraine.
Two vital therapy rooms were converted into dormitories to accommodate 38 newcomers after similar shelters were removed from eastern Ukraine. Because of Russia's invasion, Director Bogdan Kikina had no choice but to stop modernization plans and stated that "this damn war halted their development."
Moscow backed the leader of the Donetsk People's Republic and said Sunday that he did not see any reason to forgive the foreign nationals sentenced to death last week in the breakaway republic, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
