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Ukrainian authorities say the strategic city of Mariupol has not yet fallen under full Russian control.
A small number of soldiers continue to resist. Ukirana forces refused the Russian ultimatum to surrender their weapons. But experts say it is only a matter of time before the port city is completely occupied by Russian forces. Before the start of the fighting in Mariupol lived over 440 thousand inhabitants, while now in the destroyed city there are about 120 thousand inhabitants.
Ukrainian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol resisted Sunday’s ultimatum from Russia to hand over weapons.
Moscow said its forces had captured almost the entire city, which would mark Russia’s biggest strategic victory in the nearly two-month war.
On the streets of Mariupol, residents pass by the rubble of burnt buildings and blankets covered with blankets as they flee their destroyed homes.
“We came to get some things. They seem to have tried to get inside our apartment but could not. At least we’ll get something. “We left with a few winter clothes”, says Irina, a resident of Mariupol.
Some Ukrainian soldiers are located in Europe’s largest steel plant, Azovstal, a maze with many entrances and exits.
This has become the last point of resistance of the Ukrainian forces, which are in much smaller numbers compared to the Russian army.
The number of civilians inside the factory is unknown.
Former British Army Chief Richard Dannatt says looking at the situation, it is a matter of time before Mariupol falls under full Russian control.
“Ukrainian forces have decided not to accept the possibility of surrender. I fear this will be a terrible and sad end to the heroic war by those Ukrainian soldiers. “It will end with Mariupol completely under Russian control.” he says.
Mariupol is the main port connecting the southeastern Donbas region, home to pro-Russian separatists, with the Crimean region, annexed by Moscow in 2014.
“Russia will not give up that territory easily.” says Mr. Dannat, while predicting that after Mariupol, Russian forces will advance towards the Donbas region and the west.
Russia continued its attacks in other parts of the country, as part of what it calls it “Special military operation for demilitarization of Ukraine”. Kiev accuses Russian President Putin of unprovoked aggression.
During an Easter service in the northern city of Buca, citizens prayed for their loved ones who were found in mass graves.
During the fighting against Russian forces, 63-year-old Galina Bondar lost her son Olexandar.
“My heart is broken. “I do not know how I will survive.” she says.
Russia denies targeting civilians.
On Sunday, bombings in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, hit an apartment building and a hospital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late last night that 18 people had been killed and more than 100 injured during the bombings in the last four days in Kharkiv./VOA
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