The last civilians confined to the Azovstal steelworks are waiting for a new UN convoy on Friday, whose mission is to evacuate them, after the failure, the day before, of a first attempt. But confusion still reigns, as Ukrainian authorities claim that the Russians do not respect the ceasefire, which Moscow certainly denies.
It was the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, who announced Thursday that a new convoy was heading to the martyred city of Mariupol, which became one of the symbols of Russia’s aggression that began on February 24th. .
As we speak, a convoy is on its way to Azovstal tomorrow morning with the hope of getting the remaining civilians out of this dark hell they have lived in for so many weeks and months, and bringing them back to safety., said Mr. Griffiths. The civilians, who could still number 200, and fighters took refuge in the Azovstal underground factory for several weeks, in precarious living conditions and surrounded by Russian forces.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that it was related to the dispatch of the convoy, in coordination with the UN and with the combatants.
” ang ICRC insisted that no details could be released as long as the situation did not allow, so as not to seriously jeopardize the operation. “
A new phase of rescue of our countrymen from Azovstal is underway right now. Information on the results of this operation will be provided later.declared Andri Yermak, head of services of the Ukrainian presidency, without further details.
Conflicting information about the situation in Azovstal
On Friday morning, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense ensured that Russian forces continued their offensive in Azovstal, despite a three-day ceasefire, from Thursday to Saturday. There are Russian forces in some areas, with the support of aviation, operations aimed at controlling the plant were resumed at the blockage of defense units [ukrainiennes] continuesaid the ministry in a statement.
The Azov regiment, which brings together fighters living in ironworks, accused Russian forces on Friday of targeting one of its vehicles participating in a civilian evacuation operation, which killed one soldier.
During the ceasefire in the territory of the Azovstal plant, a car was targeted by the Russians with an anti-tank guided missile. This car was on its way to the civilians to evacuate them from the factorythe regiment told the Telegram. One fighter was killed and six were wounded.
Azov regiment deputy commander Sviatoslav Palamar confirmed in a video that bloody fight taking place right inside the site and that the Russians not keep their promise pause.
Russian President Vladimir Putin for his part affirmed on Thursday night that the Russian army was always ready to ensure the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal.
The Russian army respects the ceasefire around the factory, and the humanitarian corridors around Azovstal workalso promised Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The complete capture of Mariupol would be a significant victory for Russia as it approaches May 9, the day it celebrates its victory against Nazi Germany in 1945.
The Kremlin, however, said on Friday that no such celebration was planned in Mariupol.
” This year, of course, it is impossible for obvious reasons. But the time will come when a big celebration will take place there. “
According to the American Institute for War Studies (ISW), Russian forces are likely to take control of the site in the coming days.
Since the invasion of Ukraine began, Moscow has only gained full control over one major city, Kherson, in the south. Dmitry Peskov acknowledged on Thursday that Western support had suppressed thespecial military operation The Russian was triggered on February 24th.
The Russians continued their offensives to the east
In the Donbass coalfield, where Moscow’s offensive focused, Severodonetsk, one of the major cities still under Ukrainian control, was almost surrounded of Russian forces and pro-Russian separatists, said on Friday the mayor of this city in the Lugansk region, Olexander Stryuk.
Although the overwhelming majority of the approximately 100,000 residents were evacuated, the mayor was saddened that 15,000 of them refused to leave.
Russian forces continued their ineffective offensive operations south of Kharkiv, in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, without registering significant territorial victories over the past 24 hours.estimated Thursday night the ISW.
A Ukrainian counter-offensive from Kharkiv to remove the country’s second city in the range of enemy artillery could force the Russians to strengthen near Kharkiv or risk losing most or all of their positions within artillery rangeaccording to’ISW.
Source: Radio-Canada
