Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine, Mariupol rejects ultimatum to surrender

The Russian issued deadline for Mariupol authorities to give up the town has now handed with Ukrainians rejecting the phrases as a false selection.

The port metropolis of Mariupol, which earlier than the warfare was residence to round 450,000 folks, has been below close to fixed assault from Russian forces since early March with satellite tv for pc photographs exhibiting important destruction to residential areas.

Whereas the Russian ultimatum appeared to supply those that selected to give up secure passage out of the town, it made no such ensures for these remaining.

Russia has repeatedly been accused of concentrating on civilians, with trapped residents describing the onslaught as “hell.”

The Russian assaults have led to a complete collapse in primary companies — with residents unable to entry fuel, electrical energy or water. Our bodies are being left on the street as a result of there may be both nobody left to gather them, or it is just too harmful to attempt.

An official within the metropolis stated persons are scared to depart their underground shelters even to pay money for necessities, which means they have been attempting to drink much less water and eat much less meals, solely rising to arrange sizzling meals.

Bombing of maternity hospital, theater: The town is more and more bearing the brunt of Russia’s fierce assault on the nation, with shelling day and evening, stated Main Denis Prokopenko, from the Nationwide Guard Azov Regiment. The assault has included lethal strikes on a maternity ward, and separate bombings of a theater and artwork faculty the place tons of of individuals have been sheltering — the losses from that are nonetheless unknown because the rescue operations proceed. The phrase “youngsters” was spelled out on two sides of the theater earlier than it was bombed, in accordance with satellite tv for pc photographs.

Civilians trapped: For weeks, Ukrainian officers have accused Russian forces of blocking evacuation corridors that might enable residents a secure escape from the town. Adviser to the mayor of Mariupol Petro Andrushenko stated on his Telegram channel Sunday stated folks attempting to flee the town of their automobiles have been being shot at by Russian forces. The Ukrainian authorities stated a reduction convoy for the besieged metropolis has repeatedly been blocked.

Taken towards their will: On Sunday, the Mariupol Metropolis Council stated residents are being taken to Russia towards their will by Russian forces. Captured Mariupol residents have been taken to camps the place Russian forces checked their telephones and paperwork, then redirected a few of the residents to distant cities in Russia, the council stated. Russia denied the accusations Saturday.

Why Russia needs to regulate Mariupol: The town is a strategic port that lies on a stretch of coast connecting the jap area of Donbas with the Crimea peninsula, each of which have been below Russian management since 2014. Russian forces seem like attempting to take full management of the world to create a land hall between the 2 areas, squeezing Mariupol with brutal army power.