The next day, however, Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed that the battle for control of the city was still ongoing,[1] stating their forces were continuing to hold the southwestern and northeastern districts, while other Ukrainian officials acknowledged most of Lyman, including the city center, was under Russian control.[23] In addition, the United Kingdom also assessed most of the town had come under Russian control by 27 May.[24] Both Russian-backed separatist forces and the Russian military made separate claims of victory on 27 and 28 May.[3][25] Early on 30 May, the Ukrainian military acknowledged Russian forces had consolidated in Lyman and were preparing for an attack towards Sloviansk.[4]