The Russian offensive aims to achieve total control of enclaves such as Kiev, Kharkov and Kherson

Russia intensifies offensive in Ukraine to gain total control of key points in the face of local resistance

photo_camera AFP/DIMITAR DILKOFF - Police officers examine the bodies of bystanders killed in the air strike that hit Kiev's main television tower on 2 March 2022.

Russia continues to drown Ukraine in a war that is now in its seventh day after the invasion began on different flanks with the aim, according to Vladimir Putin, of "demilitarising" and "denazifying" the Ukrainian nation. 

After heavy attacks in strategic areas such as the capital Kiev, Kharkov and Kherson, as well as having already passed the Donbas stage with Lugansk and Donetsk, whose republics Vladimir Putin recognised before beginning the invasion of Ukraine, there continues to be international consternation and condemnation of the ferocious attacks with armoured vehicles and bombardments by the Russian army, followed by the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian population and armed forces, which have even received military equipment from several European countries. 

El cuerpo de un transeúnte muerto en el ataque aéreo de ayer que golpeó la principal torre de televisión de Kiev yace en el suelo en Kiev el 2 de marzo de 2022

The phase now after seven days of offensive consists of attacking in depth the nerve centres of Ukraine, with key cities such as the capital Kiev or Kharkov, the second city in terms of population and basic for the control of the northeastern border of Ukraine. The last few hours have been very tragic due to the bombardment of Kiev. On Tuesday, the Russian army warned of attacks on security delegations and basic communication centres in the Ukrainian capital. According to the Russian military, these were high-precision offensives, and the Russian military warned the resident population near these targets to leave the area in order to avoid further casualties.

Russian forces also reinforced the siege of Kherson, a town of naval importance. Putin's army took control of the town's port and railway station, according to the mayor, Igor Kolykhayev. On Tuesday, the Kremlin's army encircled the southern city, which could allow an assault on Odessa, the other major Black Sea city, leading to control of Ukraine's outlet to the sea, according to El País. 

Una vista muestra vehículos militares destruidos en una calle, mientras continúa la invasión rusa de Ucrania, en la ciudad de Bucha en la región de Kiev, Ucrania, 1 de marzo de 2022

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that it had taken control of Kherson. "Russian Armed Forces divisions have taken full control of the regional capital of Kherson", announced Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. 

Meanwhile, the heavy siege of the southern town of Mariupol, which is almost completely surrounded by Russian forces, continues. The town lacks heating, electricity and water supplies due to the Russian intervention and shelling of energy facilities in the area. According to the mayor, Vadym Boychenko, the situation is dramatic: "Enemy forces are coming at Mariupol from all directions, destroying our infrastructure, killing our women, children and old people, and calling it a war to liberate us".

Vehículos blindados destruidos se ven a través de las ventanas rotas de una casa, mientras continúa la invasión rusa de Ucrania, en la ciudad de Bucha en la región de Kiev, Ucrania, 1 de marzo de 2022

As for the death toll, US intelligence reports that up to 400 Russian soldiers die every day of the war in Ukraine, according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health reports that the number of Ukrainian civilians killed yesterday was more than 350. Meanwhile, there is already talk of more than 650,000 refugees who have fled their homes for exile in neighbouring countries, especially Poland, where more than 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived. 

Military analysts fear that Putin will further toughen his attacks to demoralise the resistance. Meanwhile, the march of the large 60-kilometre column of Russian military vehicles that has been advancing towards Kiev for a couple of days is progressing slowly because of fuel and food shortages, according to UK and US intelligence sources. Meanwhile, the Russian army is encountering obstacles in its advance, despite the fact that several areas under Russian control are falling, due to the resistance being offered by the Ukrainian military corps and the organisation of Ukrainian citizens, many of whom are enlisting in the military forces, preparing elements to confront the Russian soldiers, such as Molotov cocktails, or preparing food and material for the Ukrainian troops. 

Civiles se entrenan para lanzar cócteles molotov para defender la ciudad, mientras continúa la invasión rusa de Ucrania, en Zhytomyr, Ucrania 1 de marzo de 2022

In view of the complicated situation, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the European Parliament on Tuesday by video conference to thank Europe for its support and to demand "the freedom that you have", after requesting Ukraine's entry into the European Union the day before. "Show that the EU is with us", said the Ukrainian leader. 

For his part, Josep Borrell made a fiery speech on the Ukrainian war and was very harsh against Russia. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs launched a harsh condemnation of the Russian invasion and said that the EU is not going to "exchange human rights for its gas", and that it is going to start working to "annul" the EU's dependence on Russian hydrocarbons, after harsh economic sanctions were implemented against the Russian financial system and high-ranking Russian personalities. 

Borrell called for unity at this time and pointed out that the European project remains firm despite this Russian aggression on European soil. 

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