A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians’ estimate, remained in the Azvostal steel plant and its labyrinth of tunnels and bunkers.
A view of the destruction in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol under the control of Russian military and pro-Russian separatists, on April 19, 2022. — Russian forces tightened the noose around the defenders holed up Wednesday in a mammoth steel plant that represented the last known Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, as a fighter apparently on the inside pleaded on a video for help: “We may have only a few days or hours left.
The Kremlin’s stated goal is the capture of the Donbas, the mostly Russian-speaking eastern region that is home to coal mines, metal plants and heavy-equipment factories. Detaching it would give Putin a badly needed victory two months into the war, after the botched attempt to storm the capital, Kyiv.
Analysts say the offensive in the east could devolve into a war of attrition as Russia runs up against Ukraine’s most experienced, battle-hardened troops, who have fought pro-Moscow separatists in the Donbas for eight years. Moscow has long demanded Ukraine drop any bid to join NATO. Ukraine has said it would agree to that in return for security guarantees from a number of other countries. Other sources of tension include the status of both the Crimean Peninsula, seized by Moscow in 2014, and eastern Ukraine, where the separatists have declared independent republics recognized by Russia.
The Russian side issued a new ultimatum to the defenders to surrender, but the Ukrainians have ignored all previous demands. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned of horrors yet to be revealed in Mariupol, given the death and destruction left behind in Bucha, near Kyiv, after the Russians retreated.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukrainian commander says forces in Mariupol facing 'last days' – videoSerhiy Volyna said his troops were outnumbered 10 to one and urged world leaders to 'extract' wounded soldiers and civilians
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine repels ‘numerous’ Donbas attacks as Russian logistics falter, says UK – liveUK Ministry of Defence says Russian offensive in east is increasing but beset by problems; Russia says it will offer Mariupol ceasefire on Wednesday to allow Ukrainian defenders to lay down arms
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine repels ‘numerous’ Donbas attacks as Russian logistics falter, says UK – liveUK Ministry of Defence says Russian offensive in east is increasing but beset by problems; Russia says it will offer Mariupol ceasefire on Wednesday to allow Ukrainian defenders to lay down arms
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 57 of the invasionUkrainian officials offer special negotiations in Mariupol as west warns of Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine’s allies
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 57 of the invasionUkrainian officials offer special negotiations in Mariupol as west warns of Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine’s allies
Read more »
Mariupol commander says his soldiers 'may only have days or hours left' to liveThe desperate leader of the last Ukrainian troops in Mariupol has called on the West to help them get out. ‘We appeal and plead to all world leaders to help us.
Read more »