Lysychansk is located in the west bank and offers Ukrainian defenders the high ground. During the battle of Sievierodonetsk, the three bridges connecting both cities were destroyed, affording Ukrainian defenders a better defensive position from Russian assaults across the river.[4] By 10 May, Lysychansk and its twin city Sievierodonetsk had become the only remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the entirety of Luhansk Oblast.[5]