On Monday, another round of direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials took place. After several rounds of direct talks, both sides reported “substantial progress”, and there was even hope of an agreement in a matter days. The talks were held virtually for only the second time Monday. Mykhailo Podolyak, the Ukrainian presidential advisor, stated that there would be a technical pause in bilateral dialogue until Tuesday. He added: “Negotiations continue.”
Although the previous rounds were limited, “humanitarian corridors” have been established to allow civilians to evacuate certain cities that are most affected. Although many of these efforts failed quickly and both sides blame the other for ceasefire violations, evacuations seemed to be increasing on Monday.
According to Ukrainian officials, 160 vehicles were able to rescue people from the southern coast city of Mariupol. Interfax reported that the Defense Ministry in Moscow had said Mariupol was “unblocked”.
Even in frontline towns, Oleksiy Kuleba, the regional governor, stated Monday that evacuations would continue for a fifth consecutive night.
Kuleba stated that the ceasefire in the region was holding, even though it is conditional. He also said that there could still be explosions in the distance.
However, despite the glimpses of hope, Charlie D’Agata, senior foreign correspondent at CBS News, stated that the war seems to be growing by the hour. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, insisted that Russian artillery was targeting military targets after the attack on Kyiv’s apartment building.
Peskov reiterated a claim made by an earlier mayor of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas, which is being held by Russian-backed separatists. He claimed that Ukrainian forces had fired on Donetsk and “killed and wounded civilians.”
Aleksey Kulemzin, Donetsk’s pro-Russian mayor, stated earlier that a Ukrainian missile was shot down close to Donetsk’s city hall. He said that the debris created a cloud of debris that killed 17 and left 28 others injured.
Peskov stated that “Ofcourse, this is an attack against the civilian population.” Russia is accused of attacking residential buildings, hospitals, and schools with missiles and airstrikes. The United Nations confirmed that about 600 civilians were killed and acknowledged that the true death toll could be much higher.
On Monday, Kyiv was under fire following a huge round of Russian airstrikes that struck a Ukrainian military facility right on Poland’s doorstep . This brought the U.S. along with its NATO allies closer to the violence of the war. The Sunday attacks on the base that was used by NATO and American forces to train Ukrainian soldiers claimed the lives of at least 35 people.
Moscow’s message was clearer than it could have been. The strike on the base, which was just 12 miles away from the Polish border where the U.S. had deployed troops to strengthen NATO’s defenses, came one day after Russia warned that weapons from Western countries and “mercenaries,” would be considered “legitimate target”. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian warplanes launched about 30 missiles and 22 were intercepted in Ukraine by the air defenses.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, smiled as he visited wounded soldiers in a hospital Sunday to try and lift spirits. But that smile was gone when he gave a stark warning overnight.
Zelensky stated, “It is only a matter for time before Russian missiles will fall on your territory and the territory of NATO, as well as on the homes of citizens from NATO countries.” The Ukrainian leader warned for months about Putin’s intentions.
According to the Red Cross, time is running out for thousands of Mariupol residents. Since the attack on Mariupol began, at least 2,500 people have been killed there. All supplies of food, water and electricity were running out.
Soldiers carried the wounded and dead from the town of Irpin in Kyiv’s northwest, carrying out a rescue operation. Residents have been under intense bombardment for several days.
Many people who have managed to escape the sniper fire and shelling in Irpin or nearby Bucha go to Bilohorodka, some riding in cargo trucks. They are given warm drinks, water, and food upon arrival. They are now safe and well-cared for by their neighbors, who know full well that they’re following the Russian advance towards the capital.
Eliana, a local aiding those fleeing to her village, said “I’m beg to be heard.” “Close our skies, so our children can sleep peacefully — so that the whole country can thrive.”
Alyona, another volunteer to help the evacuees said that although adults can understand what’s going on in their country and offer help, children are afraid.
She told CBS News that she tried to explain to them that they have the largest army and that they will defend us. They believe us.
She admitted that she was afraid. She said that leaving was not an option because she is Ukrainian. We cannot do anything else. When, for example, our people are dying here, we can’t go. We cannot go away. It’s their responsibility to help them.
Natalia, another volunteer, agreed that she was a true Ukrainian and loved her homeland and people. “We didn’t flee away. “We are Kyivites… We will stay here until the end!”
Oxana, another villager who helped prepare food for Irpin’s evacuees, reiterated Eliana’s plea. This plea is repeated often by officials from the Ukrainian government.
“I need your assistance. Stop this madhouse. Give us no-fly zones, close the skies so we can manage the rest,” she said to D’Agata. She also stated that she and her neighbors would not be affected by any foreign assistance. We are so strong. We are so powerful that neither one of us will bow to the Russians nor face anyone else. We don’t surrender. We will not surrender on our land.
D’Agata wanted to know if the volunteers would be willing to stay in their community, regardless of what. All of them answered “yes” without hesitation.
According to the United Nations, 2.7 million people fled Ukraine to neighboring countries. However, that does not include millions of people who fled their country in search of refuge in other countries.
D’Agata reports that Russian missiles are now coming close to Ukraine’s western boundary, so they’re running out safe places to hide.