Live updates | 12 killed in Russian attacks in Severodonetsk

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces attacked the cities of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk in Ukraine’s eastern region of Luhansk, the region’s governor said Friday.

Serhiy Haidai said in a Telegram messaging app post on Friday that 12 people were killed in Severodonetsk as a result of the assault, and more than 60 houses were destroyed across the region.

He added that the attack on Severodonetsk “was unsuccessful - the Russians suffered personnel losses and retreated.” His remarks could not be independently verified.

Ukraine’s General Staff in its morning update on Friday also said that the Russians tried to assault Severodonetsk but suffered losses and retreated.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

— Senate ships $40B Ukraine aid bill to Biden for signature

— Rebutting Turkey, Biden lauds NATO bids of Sweden, Finland

— Red Cross registers hundreds of Ukrainian POWs emerging from Mariupol steel plant

— Captive medic’s bodycam shows firsthand horror of Mariupol

— Explainer: What will happen to the Ukraininan soldiers from Mariupol?

— UN chief 'hopeful’ of Ukraine grain deal to help food crisis

— Russia-Ukraine war impact draws focus of G7 finance leaders

— US intel shows Russians fear Mariupol abuse will backfire

— Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for the $40 billion aid package, which got final congressional approval on Thursday.

“This is a demonstration of strong leadership and a necessary contribution to our common defense of freedom,” Zelenskyy said in his...