Russian forces will take over the strategically important Ukrainian port city of Mariupol today, said one of Vladimir Putin’s most important allies, after Ukraine warned that its forces were unable to “endure much longer”.
The besieged southern city has been a major target for Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine almost two months ago.
After being hit by daily attacks, most of the area was destroyed and access to electricity, heating, food and medical supplies was cut off for many civilians.
Russian forces say they are on the verge of gaining full control of the city for days, but units of the Ukrainian Marines, as well as the Ukrainian army’s Azov Battalion, have successfully repulsed attacks.
Live updates on the war in Ukraine
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3:23 Mariupol troops “surpass 10 to one”
Other key developments:
• US President Joe Biden convenes White House military leaders after more weapons aid to Ukraine • War-induced food security crisis could continue until next year, World Bank warns • Boris Johnson says peace talks with Russia likely to fail and compare talks with Putin with talks with crocodile • Wimbledon bans all Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tennis championship
However, the head of the Russian Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, whose forces are fighting in Ukraine, said Mariupol would fall today.
The last major stronghold in the city is based around the Azovstal steel plant, where about 1,000 civilians are fleeing shelling and rocket attacks.
“Before noon or in the afternoon, Azovstal will be completely under the control of the forces of the Russian Federation,” said Kadyrov.
Ukrainian Marine Commander Sergei Volny warned that fighters at the plant may not be able to “endure much longer”.
“Enemy units are dozens of times larger than ours, they have the upper hand in the air, in the artillery, in the ground forces, in the non-equipment and in the tanks,” he said.
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0:10 Russian air strike on the Azovstal plant
Read more: Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile capable of evading “any defense system”, Putin said
Speaking to Sky News, he said the troops at the plant were “outnumbered 10 to one” by Russian forces and more than 500 fighters needed medical attention.
If the key port city falls, it will mark Moscow’s biggest victory in the war to date and allow Russian forces to build a land corridor between Crimea, which it captured from Ukraine in 2014, and rebels leading the Luhansk region. and Donetsk in the eastern part of the country.
Ukraine proposes to replace Russian prisoners of war with a humanitarian corridor
On Wednesday, the situation in Mariupol became so desperate that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky proposed replacing Russian prisoners of war with a humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to leave the city safely.
Ukraine is ready for a “special round of talks” without conditions, “to save our boys, (far right) Azov (battalion), military, civilians, children, alive and wounded,” said Ukrainian negotiator Mikhail Podoliak.
Read more: Troops at Mariupol steel plant “exceed 10 to one” by Russians
Previous attempts to allow residents to flee the city have failed, with Ukraine claiming that Russia has not complied with the agreed ceasefire.
Moscow has denied allegations that it targeted civilians and blamed Ukraine for failed evacuation attempts.
More than five million people have fled the country since the war broke out, but it is estimated that more than 100,000 people are still trapped in Mariupol with little food, water or access to medical supplies.
Russia is successfully testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile
The warning for Mariupol comes after Russia launched a new offensive to take control of the eastern part of the country, known as Donbass.
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Russian forces continued their pursuit by striking dozens of military targets and shooting down a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter near the village of Koroviy Yar, the defense ministry said.
President Putin also said his country had successfully tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.
He said the test launch should “provide food for thought for those who, in the midst of fierce aggressive rhetoric, are trying to threaten” Russia.
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