<div class="hidden-xs leadtext"> <h2 class="intro">Here are the latest developments from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict</h2> </div> <div id="artmeterinlinewrap"></div> <div id="content-body-65475108"> Russian and Ukrainian troops traded blows in fierce close-quarter combat on May 29 in an eastern Ukrainian city as Moscow’s soldiers, supported by intense shelling, attempted to gain a strategic foothold to conquer the region. Ukraine’s leader also made a rare frontline visit to Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, to assess the strength of the national defense. In the east, Russian forces stormed Sievierodonetsk after trying unsuccessfully to encircle the strategic city, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russian-forces-storm-sievierodonetsk-amid-eastern-ukraine-bombardments/article65472982.ece" target="_self" rel="noopener">Zelensky described the situation there as “indescribably difficult</a>,” with a relentless Russian artillery barrage destroying critical infrastructure and damaging 90% of the buildings. Meanwhile, Germany’s government and conservative opposition have agreed on a deal that will release 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to modernize <h2 class="sub_head">Russian forces ‘storm’ Sievierodonetsk amid eastern Ukraine bombardments</h2> Russian and Ukrainian troops engaged in close-quarter combat in an eastern Ukraine city on May 29 as Moscow’s soldiers, supported by intense shelling, attempted to gain strategic footholds in the region while facing fierce Ukrainian resistance. Ukrainian regional officials reported that Russian forces were “storming” the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, where the fighting has knocked out power and cellphone services and terrorized civilians who haven’t fled. </div>