- Zelensky says Russia can use chemical weapons
- The Austrian leader is meeting with Putin, warns of a “massive offensive”
- A UN official cited growing reports of rape
- The United States is calling on India to cut Russian oil and gas
LVIV, Ukraine, April 12 (Reuters) – Ukraine is calling for more weapons from the West to help end the siege of Mariupol and repel Russia’s expected offensive in the east after more reports of rape and brutality against Ukrainians Russian civilian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a televised address late Monday that Russia could resort to chemical weapons as it gathers troops in the eastern Donbass region for a new attack on the port of Mariupol, where thousands are believed to have died in a nearly seven-week siege. . Read more
“When it comes to the necessary weapons, we still depend on supplies, on our partners. “Unfortunately, we are not getting as much as we need to end this war faster … In particular, to lift the blockade of Mariupol,” he said.
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The first European Union leader to meet personally with Russian President Vladimir Putin since he launched his so-called “special operation”, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nechamer, said after talks in Moscow on Monday that an offensive in the east was “preparing for a massive scale “. Read more
After suffering heavy losses and withdrawing troops from the suburbs of Kyiv, Russia turned its attention to the Donbass, where it insisted that Ukraine cede control to separatist fighters. The conquest of Mariupol would allow Moscow to try to encircle the main Ukrainian forces to the east.
Delivering a regular early morning inspection of the conflict zone, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that in addition to trying to take control of Mariupol, Russian forces also intended to take Popasna, a city more than two hours west of Luhansk, and were ready to launch an offensive in the direction of Kurakhovo, in the Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian army says its troops have repulsed attacks in both Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, destroying four tanks, five armored vehicles, 26 vehicles and eight enemy artillery systems. He also said her forces shot down a Russian plane, two helicopters and four drones. Reuters could not independently verify these figures.
Luhansk Governor Sergei Gaidai called on residents to evacuate using five humanitarian corridors agreed for the eastern Ukrainian region on Tuesday.
“It’s far scarier to stay and burn in your sleep from a Russian shell,” he wrote in the Telegram news app. “Evacuate, the situation is getting worse with each passing day. Take your essentials and head to the collection point. ”
A total of nine humanitarian corridors were agreed for Tuesday, including one for private cars from Mariupol, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk said.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Monday that Britain was working with its partners to verify details of reports that Russian forces may have used chemical agents in an attack on Mariupol.
“There are some things that are beyond pallor and the use of chemical weapons will be answered, and all options are on the table for what that answer might be,” British Defense Secretary James Happy told Sky News.
ALLEGED RAPES AND EXECUTIONS
The departure of Russian forces from the outskirts of Kyiv has brought to light painful accusations of war crimes, including the execution and rape of civilians. Moscow has denied the allegations of Ukrainian and Western provocations and has also accused Ukrainian forces of sexual violence.
Senior UN official Sima Bacchus told the Security Council on Monday that although all allegations must be investigated independently, “the brutality shown against Ukrainian civilians has raised all red flags.”
“We hear more and more about rape and sexual violence,” she said. Read more
Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations has denied the allegations, accusing Ukraine and its allies of “clearly intending to portray Russian soldiers as sadists and rapists.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the Ukrainian government was directed by the United States to sow false evidence of Russian violence against civilians, despite what it described as “Moscow’s unprecedented measures to rescue civilians.” Read more
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has accused Russia of holding civilians, including journalists, activists and elected officials, in prisons on Russian territory. Reuters could not verify the claim. Read more
PRESS US
Putin is scheduled to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Ukraine and Western sanctions, news agencies in Russia and Belarus reported. Belarus is a key area for Russian forces.
The United States has tried to pressure Putin to withdraw his troops by banning Russian oil and gas and encouraging allies to follow suit.
But world powers, including China and India, have refrained from sanctioning Russia. Enticed by the sharp discounts on oil, India has bought more Russian oil since the invasion on February 24 than last year, according to data collected by Reuters. Read more
In a video interview, US President Joe Biden told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “very clearly it is not in their interest” to increase their dependence on Russian energy, said White House spokesman Jen Psaki.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow will not stop fighting for a new round of peace talks, which last took place on April 1st.
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Reuters bureau reporting; Written by Stephen Coates and Simon Cameron-Moore; Edited by Lincoln Feast.
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