Russian troops take down pontoon crossings across Siverskyi Donets to control civilians and their deserters in Luhansk region

He told this live on air of the Espreso TV channel.

"There is information that Russian troops have removed all pontoon crossings across Siverskyi Donets River. The only crossing remains between Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. In my opinion, this does not significantly affect logistics, because different units have their own separate directions along Siverskyi Donets. On the one hand  - Novoaidar, Starobilsk, Severodonetsk and Kreminna, and on the other hand - Lysychansk has a direct road to Girske, Pervomaisk, therefore, in such conditions, removal of crossings is not a matter of principle. However, this is more of a restriction for civilians, because control is tightened and there are checks on additional roadblocks," head of Severodonetsk district military administration said.

Roman Vlasenko believes that crossings were most likely removed to increase control over local residents and deserters from the Russian army.

"We know that Russian troops are trying to create additional checkpoints in order to filter their deserters, as well as civilians. In most cases, the Russian military deserts to their territories, but there are many facts of their appearance in Kreminna and Svatove areas," Vlasenko said.