The new evacuation in Azovstal marks the 72nd day of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

The Ukrainian government announced on Friday that at least 50 civilians had been evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol (6). Today, Russia’s invasion of the country completes 72 days.

The region is undergoing a period of ceasefire to allow the safe exit of civilians still there, described as the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in the port city.

However, Ukrainian officials accuse the Russians of shooting at civilians trying to leave the facility.

Andrei Turchak, a Russian deputy from the United Russia Party, announced today that Russia will forever remain in southern Ukraine.

“I want to say once again to the inhabitants of the Kherson region that Russia is here forever. Have no doubts,” he said.

Turchak also said that a Russian aid center should be opened in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, which was completely under Russian control after the invasion.

more than 3,000 deaths

The UN (United Nations) announced today that at least 3,309 civilians have been killed and 3,493 injured in the conflict. Among the deaths are 234 children and adolescents.

According to the agency, the Donbass region concentrates more than half (1,754) of victims. The UN estimates the actual number of victims to be much higher than has been reported so far.

Check out the main events of the day:

• The Russian government has declared that it will not use nuclear weapons in the conflict with Ukraine;
• The Italian government ordered the seizure of the Scheherazade yacht, which was attached to Russian President Vladimir Putin; the boat has docked in an Italian port since last September and is valued at US$700 million (approx R$3.5 billion);
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that 500,000 Ukrainian citizens have been deported to Russia since the start of the conflict;
• US President Joe Biden has announced that he will provide new military aid to Ukraine. A government official told ANSA that the aid will amount to US$150 million (approximately R$761 million);
• Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereschuk announced on Telegram that there is a new exchange of prisoners with Russia: the Russians handed over 41 people (28 military personnel and 13 civilians).

With information from AFP, ANSA and Reuters