Hit by all kinds of weapons: The bloody battle for Ukrainian city of Lysychansk rages

Lysychansk is the last Ukrainian stronghold of resistance in the province of Luhansk, in the east of the country

Smoke rises over the remains of a building destroyed by a military strike as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues (REUTERS)

Russian forces are firing “all available kinds of weapons” in their bid to take the eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, the last stronghold of resistance in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk province, officials said.

Ukrainian fighters have come under intense fire in recent days as they try to defend the city and keep it from falling to Russia, as neighbouring Sievierodonetsk did a week ago.

Fighting has raged around an oil refinery on the city’s edge, with both Russia and Ukraine claiming they have control of the key facility.