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As fighting continues between the two countries, Ukrainian President Wolodimir Zelenski has lashed out at the West for allegedly not "doing enough to help Kiev win the war".
Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday described fighting outside the industrial city of Severodonetsk - an important military target for Russia - as "difficult" and said Russian troops had mortarized the city from the outskirts.
"The coming week will be crucial," Gaiday said in a video on Telegram, adding that he believes Russia's goal is to "conquer the Lugansk region, regardless of the costs involved".
"There is a colossal amount of artillery fire coming down on the city."
Earlier in the day, when Gaiday addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country urgently needed multiple launch rocket systems to match their attacks with those of the Russians.
Towns like Soledar are heavily bombed by the Russians as the towns are on their way to the besieged Severodonetsk and its sister city, Lysychansk.
A total of 12 people have already been killed in "extremely heavy bombardment and attacks" in the neighboring Donetsk region, which is also part of Donbas, the Ukrainian presidency said.
The rest of the country remains apparently in danger after Russian cruise missiles hit the great southern railway line of Zaporizhzhia. One person was killed and many houses were damaged in the attack.
About 200 bodies were also recently found in the basement of a destroyed building in the port city of Marioepol. Russia recently took over Marioepol after a long siege.
"It is impossible to be in the area because of the smells of the bodies," said Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova.
"Russia has turned the whole of Marioepol into a cemetery."
Ukraine desperate, angry
In Kiev, Zelenski endorsed the plea for more help.
"We need the help of our partners - above all weapons for the Ukrainian forces. We need help, without exceptions or limitations. We need enough to win, ”he said.
Zelenski has also targeted other international leaders for allegedly paying too much attention to Russia's interests and too little to those of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president has spoken out against recent reports and other statements by influential Western figures, who suggest that Ukraine may have to sacrifice territory to end the conflict.
"We must do everything in our power so that the world develops a firm habit of taking Ukraine into account, and so that the interests of Ukrainians are not simply overlooked."
Russia has already begun to strengthen its grip on parts of Ukraine, which it now occupies.
Pres. Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree simplifying the procedure for residents of the southern Ukrainian regions of Kherson - which is under full control of Russia - and the partially-occupied Zaporizhzhia to obtain a Russian passport.
"This simplified system will enable us all to see clearly that Russia is not only here for a long time, but forever," said Moscow-appointed Kherson regional deputy leader Kirill Stremousov.
The new authorities in the region intend to make both regions part of Russia and thus help those who "want to join the large family of Russia" to do so.
However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposed the "illegal issuance of passports" and described it as "a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
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