By Karin Hiebaum
Journalist
Although the shelling of several Ukrainian cities continued on Thursday night. There had already been attacks along the entire front in Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv in recent days. But the Ukrainian Security Council believes that these were likely «test attacks.» The major offensive is still to come, it said.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Defense Department had also said it saw the latest Russian attacks only as a portent of a larger offensive by Moscow. Already, however, Russian troops have advanced far. According to Ukrainian sources, much of Luhansk is under Russian control.
According to the leader of the Russian constituent republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, Mariupol could fall as early as Thursday. Ukrainian fighters remaining in the steel plant would still have the opportunity to surrender in the morning. According to Russian reports, some 2,500 Ukrainian fighters and foreign mercenaries remain at the Azov Steel Plant. Ukrainian communications also say that some 1,000 civilians and civilian women have sought shelter there.
Selenskyi sees more understanding of heavy weapons
On Wednesday evening, two representatives of the Ukrainian delegation at the talks with Russia had expressed their readiness to come to Mariupol for negotiations on the evacuation of fighters and civilians from the steel plant. Earlier, the commander of the remaining marines asked for evacuation of his fighters to a third country. However, a rescue of civilians had failed again on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian sources.
After days of urgent pleas for more and heavy weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj sees more understanding emerging from Ukraine’s partner countries. He could say with «cautious optimism» that Kiev’s partners «have become more aware of our needs,» Selenskyj said in a video message.
Debate: How is the war changing the world?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been waging war in Ukraine for several weeks, with no end in sight. Solidarity with Ukraine is welding Europe and the United States together. Will solidarity within the EU hold? Will Austria have to choose between neutrality and NATO in the longer term? And will China side with Russia?
Referente:
Neighbor in need
Karin Silvina Hiebaum
E-Mail: [email protected]
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