The Russians claim to have captured the commercial port of Mariupol, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov announced. "In the city of Mariupol , the commercial port has been completely liberated from the militants of the Nazi "Azov" formation," he said."
The Russian ministry also says that all the "hostages" from the boats in Mariupol's port have been released. This information was reported by the Russian TASS. Among those who surrendered, there are 162 officers and also 47 female service members," said Konashenkov, who also said that the 151 wounded Ukrainians who were injured were taken to Mariupol hospital.
What international analysts say
Defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clark, who provided analysis for Sky News,argues that the Russian seizure of the port of Mariupol is probably true. He believes Mariupol is likely to fall "in a matter of hours, not days" and there could be some dramatic developments overnight.
New threat to Kiev
Earlier, Russian local authorities said shots were heard near a Russian village in a western region bordering Ukraine.
[/B][/B]It was not entirely clear what happened as local authorities in the Kursk region made contradictory statements and deleted an earlier statement that a checkpoint had come under fire.
"An hour ago, shots were heard on the border near the village of Gordeevka" in the Korenevsky region, authorities said in their latest statement on their Telegram channel, in which they said, among other things, that "there were no casualties or damage on our side."
"If attacks on Russian territory continue, we will hit the places where such decisions are made, including Kiev," Moscow warned, according to an RIA cable."
Russia's new strategy
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian forces are ready to launch an offensive in Donbass and also in Kherson. The Russians have withdrawn from Kiev and are targeting the east as initial expectations of a quick capture of the Ukrainian capital were dashed. The Kremlin's strategy appears to be to create a land corridor between annexed Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
The conflict being prepared appears to be the bloodiest phase of the war. At the same time, Western countries decide to further strengthen Ukraine militarily.
The West is arming Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelensky had a conversation with US President Biden. The two men discussed US defense and economic aid to Ukraine and agreed on a new round of sanctions against Moscow.
"We are continuing our ongoing dialogue with the President of the United States. We assessed Russian war crimes. Discussed additional package of defense and possible macroeconomic assistance to Ukraine. We agreed to strengthen sanctions," Zelensky said.
Sorrows 1.500 Russian soldiers in a Ukrainian town
Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed that the bodies of more than 1,500 Russian soldiers are in morgues in Dnipro. The city's deputy mayor said local authorities would be ready to allow Russian mothers access to the bodies of their sons.
Russia appears to have suffered heavy casualties during the conflict, although conflicting evidence has emerged. Ukraine says nearly 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed. In its latest update, Russia said 1,351 soldiers had been killed as of March 25.
Source: in.gr
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