The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in a statement today that while the Russian forces continue their attacks on the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, the last pillar of the Ukrainian resistance, while waiting for the UN convoy to evacuate refugees from the complex.
In a statement made by the ministry, it was stated that Russian forces “restarted operations in certain areas to take control of the factory with the support of aviation”, but “the blockade of the (Ukrainian) defense units continues.”
The report does not mention a ceasefire. On Wednesday (4) night, the Russian military declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire from Thursday to Saturday to allow the evacuation of civilians from the massive steelworks.
But a Ukrainian commander at the factory said on Thursday that the Russians “did not respect their word” of the ceasefire.
Taking Azovstal would allow Moscow to claim full control of Mariupol, a strategic port south of the Donbass that had a population of 500,000 before the war but was devastated by two months of siege and bombing.
So far, Russia has only claimed full control of one major Ukrainian city, Kherson.
Ukrainians have recently expressed fears that Moscow may want to hold a military parade in Mariupol on May 9, when the Russians celebrate the anniversary of their 1945 victory over Nazi Germany.
source: Noticias
