Ukraine says it sees no signs that Russia will end the war in the near future

The intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said today that it does not see Russia ending the war in a short time. “Right now, the Kremlin’s [governo russo] The industry plans to end the war in Ukraine in the near future,” he said in a statement released today.

The opposite will actually happen for the Ukrainian Defense. “Instead, attempts to carry out the so-called ‘secret mobilization’ continue. An active agitation campaign is underway,” he said, referring to the alleged deployment of young soldiers to the combat zone.

Yesterday, the U.S., an ally of the Ukrainians, said it expects a “long conflict” between Russia and Ukraine.

Today, Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the “special military operation” – as the Russians call the invasion of Ukrainian territory – is “advancing according to plan”, without mentioning deadlines.

The war has reached its 77th day with Russia’s new attacks on Ukrainian territory. But on the Russian border, regional governors have renewed the “yellow level” for the terrorist threat for another two weeks, through May 25.

Mariupol

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said today that the country will not be able to withdraw Russian forces from the southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. “If there was an opportunity to unlock the city by military means, the country’s leadership would use it,” he told Ukrainian media.

Mariupol has been under siege by Russian forces for nearly two months since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian resistance point in the city, which is now strategic for Russia, is the Azovstal complex, where Ukrainian fighters are housed.

The deputy minister also noted that Mariupol is currently guarded by the Armed Forces, border guards, National Guard and National Police. “We must understand that this issue is very sensitive and that every word can be used by the enemy and hurt our defenders.”

Maliar confirmed today the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal. Today, the fighters in the complex again called for evacuation. They stated that between yesterday and today, Azovstal has been the target of at least 38 attacks by Russian forces. The Russian bombing attacks were confirmed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

“Medieval Ghetto”

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the Russian invaders had turned the port city into a “medieval ghetto”. “Without medicine and medical care, without the city’s water supply and restoration of adequate sewage, epidemics will erupt. Today, the majority of the current population is old and sick. Without adequate conditions, the death rate among vulnerable groups will increase exponentially.”

He said he estimated that “more than 10,000 people in Mariupol could die from intolerable diseases and conditions.” According to the mayor, the city will currently have about 150,000 inhabitants. “Our people’s lives are in danger. Therefore, the city must be completely evacuated.”