Officials from Ukraine claim that their forces are fighting the Russians for control of the Azovstal Steel Plant, which is one of the largest in Europe.
Overnight, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, accused Russia of intentionally creating “a humanitarian disaster,” and also asked for direct talks with Vladimir Putin.
According to the U.N. migration agency almost 6.5 million people were displaced in Ukraine along with the 3.3million refugees who fled the country. Ukraine claims that thousands of people have been killed.
These are the key facts to understand about the conflict.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE GROUND
According to an advisor to Ukraine’s interior ministry, Ukrainian troops were losing control in Mariupol of the Azovstal steel factory.
“We have lost the economic giant. Vadym Denysenko stated in televised remarks that one of Europe’s largest metallurgical plants is being destroyed.
A Ukrainian adviser said that there was no military solution for Mariupol. He stated that the closest forces capable of aiding were already fighting against Russian forces at least 60 miles (100 km) away.
Zelenskyy stated in his Friday nighttime video address that more than 9000 people were able leave Mariupol within the last day and that in total, more than 180,000 people have been allowed to flee through the 10 humanitarian corridors that have been established with the Russians.
One corridor will be announced from Mariupol, others in the Kyiv region, and one in the Luhansk area. Humanitarian aid delivery are planned for Kherson, which is currently under Russian control.
Mariupol’s city council stated that Russian soldiers had forced thousands of residents to flee the city and have been forced to relocate to Russia.
MISSILE STRIKES
In Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, a 38-hour curfew has been announced. It will last from 4 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday. Officials claim that nine people were killed in two missile strikes against the city’s suburbs. According to local authorities, they are continuing to evacuate residents from Russian-occupied areas.
Russian military claimed Saturday that its latest hypersonic missile was used in combat for the first-time. Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov of the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Kinzhal missiles had destroyed an underground storage facility containing Ukrainian missiles and ammunition in the western Ivano-Frankivsk area of Ukraine.
John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, stated Saturday that the U.S. could not confirm the Russians used hypersonic missiles in the attack.
WHAT ARE THE WORLD’S LEADERS DOING?
President Joe Biden, and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for almost two hours Friday via video. The U.S. is trying to stop Beijing from providing economic or military aid for Russia’s invasion. Biden described the U.S.’s consequences for China if it provides military or economic aid to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. Xi, for his part, urged Russia and the U.S. to negotiate and blamed America for the crisis.
China’s vice-foreign minister reiterated his condemnation of NATO for the war and criticised sanctions against Russia on Saturday. Le Yucheng stated that NATO was a “Cold War vestige” with the possibility of expansion from a major power such as Russia.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, stated that Russia’s invasion in Ukraine was a “turning-point for the world,” and that victory for President Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine would bring about “a new age in intimidation.” Johnson also said that a loss in freedom in Ukraine would lead to “the extinction or any hope of freedom for Georgia and Moldova.”
Biden will travel to Europe next week to meet with European leaders and attend an extraordinary NATO summit.
WHAT ARE REFUGEES DOING?
Many thousands of Ukrainian refugees waited in line in Warsaw, Poland to get their local identification papers. This will enable them to continue living in peace.
Overnight, refugees began queuing at Warsaw’s National Stadium to obtain their PESEL identification cards. These cards will allow them to live, work, attend school, and receive social benefits over the next 18-months.
Many were told by Saturday’s mid-morning to return another day due to high demand, despite the fact that the process was simplified by the Polish authorities.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Poland has received more than 2,000,000 refugees from Ukraine. This is the majority of the 3.3 million who fled Ukraine, according to the U.N. Many thousands of people have fled to Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, and Hungary.
The reception centers were visited Saturday by a bipartisan delegation from the United States. Representative Stephen Lynch, a Massachusetts Democrat, led the seven-member delegation. He praised the willingness of the Polish people accept refugees. Some Poles even welcome refugees into their homes.
The American legislators stressed the urgent need to support Ukraine’s military against Russian forces during an online meeting.
WHERE DO RUSSIAN UKRAINE TALKS STAND
In talks with Ukrainian officials, the head of the Russian delegation said that the parties are closer to reaching an agreement on Ukraine’s neutral status — one of Russia’s key demands as it continues its offensive. Vladimir Medinsky stated Friday that both sides have also narrowed differences over Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
Mikhailo Podolyak was Zelenskyy’s adviser and tweeted “Our positions remain unchanged.” “Ceasefire, withdrawal from troops and strong security guarantees with concrete formulations.”
Britain’s foreign secretary accused Putin of using talks as a smokescreen while he escalates violence against the country. Liz Truss stated to the Times of London that she was skeptical about Russia’s seriousness during the talks. She accused Russian forces of trying create space for them to regroup and break through their stalled campaign.
What is the CIVILIAN TOLL IN THE WORLD WAR II?
Although the U.N. human rights officer claims that 816 civilians have been killed and 1,333 were injured since February 24, when the Russian invasion began, it believes these numbers are far too low.
According to the office of the country’s General Prosecutor, 112 children were killed in the conflict since the beginning of fighting. Over 140 children were also injured.
According to Ukrainian police, dozens of civilians were injured and killed in attacks that took place within the last 24 hours in eastern Donetsk. Attacks on eight cities and villages with heavy artillery, aviation, and rocket fire caused damage to at least 37 residential buildings.
Police officer Michail Vershnin, a Mariupol police officer, pleaded for his freedom from Mariupol in a video addressed only to Western leaders. “Children and elderly are dying. He said that the city was destroyed and that it has been wiped off the Earth.
WHAT IS THE WORLD’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WAR
The United States and its allies have imposed a string of sanctions on Russia to cripple the economy. Many international companies have stated that they will be reducing their operations in Russia and the remaining are being pressured to leave.
Aid agencies are increasing their efforts in order to provide relief supplies for civilians who have been affected by the fighting or refugees fleeing Ukraine. Rzeszow in Poland, located about 60 miles (100 km) from the Ukrainian border has been transformed into a humanitarian hub.
