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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of continuing to “blackmail the world through hunger” by blocking Ukrainian ports and curbing exports of wheat, corn, vegetable oil and other food products.
In a video message recorded for Time magazine’s gala evening on Thursday, President Zelenskyy said Russia’s actions had left the world “on the brink of a terrible food crisis.”
“Millions of people could starve to death if the Russian blockade of the Black Sea continues.” said Mr. Zelenskyy.
Russia has blamed international sanctions for falling exports and what it says are Ukraine’s Black Sea mines.
Fierce fighting continued Thursday in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and Ukrainian officials said they needed long-range artillery to defeat Russian forces occupying large areas.
President Zelenskyy said in a separate speech late Wednesday that the battle for Sievierodonetsk was “one of the toughest” of the war, while stressing its importance in the key Donbas region.
“In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there.” said President Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian forces were forced to retreat on the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday after a fierce Russian attack.
Days ago, Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack that gave them control of about half the city, but Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai told RBC-Ukraine media that when Russia began leveling the city with bombing and airstrikes, it made no sense. to stay longer.
“Our forces now only control the outskirts of the city again.” said the governor of Haidai. “But the fighting is going on; our forces are defending Sievierodonetsk. “It is impossible to say that the Russians are in complete control of the city.”
He acknowledged the difficulties for the Kiev forces, telling the Associated Press that “Everything that the Russian army possesses – artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation – is being used in Sievierodonetsk to wipe the city off the face of the earth and take it completely under control.”.
Governor Haidai said Ukrainian forces could be withdrawn to more defensive positions, such as Lysychansku, a town beyond the higher-lying Siverskyi Donets River. He has previously suggested that Kiev forces will have to withdraw to avoid the siege.
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