Russian troops continue offensive to control Donetsk and Lugansk regions

Russia resumes assault on Azovstal steelworks after UN convoy departs

photo_camera REUTERS/ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO - Pro-Russian troops in an armoured personnel carrier in the southern port city of Mariupol

Russian troops have resumed their assault on the Azostal steel plant in the port city of Mariupol after a UN convoy left the Donetsk region, Ukrainian sources said. "As expected, after the departure of the UN convoy from the Donetsk region, the occupants began to storm Azovstal. In particular, they tried to destroy the bridge, which was the gate for evacuation, without success," said Petro Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, in a Telegram message reported by the Ukrinform agency.  

Meanwhile, Svyatoslav Palamar 'Kalina', deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, which defends the steelworks, told Channel 24 that the situation is critical for the wounded servicemen due to a lack of medicines. "The situation is difficult, critical. There is not enough medicine. We no longer have surgical instruments. There is no option to provide qualified medical care," he stressed. 

He added that he would not give a death toll, but said that hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers had been killed. "The wounded are about 600 people. But this figure is increasing every day, as is the number of dead. We don't even know exactly how many bodies of soldiers we have not been able to pull out of the rubble," he said.

Acería Azovstal

He added that also the Russian side "has to collect its dead soldiers". "A ceasefire is necessary for this and both sides need to agree to collect the bodies of the dead. It is already hot in the street. The bodies are starting to decompose and poison everything," he said. 

At the same time, he did not rule out that after all civilians have been evacuated from Azovstal, Russian attacks will intensify. Last night, defenders counted more than 25 sorties by planes dropping bombs. 

Offensive in the east 

Russian military forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine in an attempt to achieve their goal of establishing full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and maintaining the land corridor between those territories and occupied Crimea. This is the most prominent conclusion of the latest report of the Ukrainian Military High Command, released on Monday, the day Moscow celebrates the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, but at the same time maintains its offensive operations in various parts of the Ukrainian territory. 

In the Donetsk direction, the Russians, supported by aircraft and artillery, focused their efforts on trying to take control of the settlements of Rubizhne and Popasna, and prepared to continue offensive operations in the settlements of Siversk, Sloviansk, Lysychansk and Avdiyivka. The report further indicates that in these areas Russian troops have increased firepower and are trying to destroy Ukrainian defences. 

In Donetsk and also in the Lugansk region, Ukrainian forces successfully repulsed six enemy attacks, destroying 20 tanks, an artillery system, 28 armoured combat vehicles, a special armoured vehicle and five military trucks. 

The Ukrainian command also reported that in the direction of Slobozhansky, the enemy focused on regrouping units, replenishing stocks of ammunition and fuel, holding previously occupied positions and working to prevent the advance of Ukrainian forces towards the state border. 

In the occupied territory of the Zaporiyia region, IDs were taken away from local residents without good reason, according to the report, which states that these residents are told that they will get their IDs back once they participate in Victory Day events. 

Ukraine also reported on the situation in Transnistria, a separatist and pro-Russian territory in neighbouring Moldova, where local armed formations and Russian force units continue to prepare for combat.

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