Currents News Staff
Mariupol is taking its last stand.
“We might have only a few days, or even hours, left,” said Maj. Serhii Volyna, commander of Ukraine’s 36th Separate Marine Brigade.
The southern port city is besieged as Russian forces move forward. While thousands of residents seek shelter, the Ukrainian army is pleading for help as they continue to resist Russian attacks.
The enemy’s units are ten times larger than ours. We appeal to the world leaders to help us,” said Maj. Serhii.
The mayor of Mariupol asked residents to evacuate the city Wednesday. In the meantime, a route is being set up near a steel factory where thousands of civilians and Ukrainian soldiers are believed to be taking shelter.
A Ukrainian military commander says strikes by Russian aviation and heavy artillery are continuing.
“The Mariupol military garrison has over 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians among whom there are children and women,” Maj. Serhii said.
While it’s still early in Russia’s shift toward an offensive in the Donbas region, two senior U.S. officials say there has been no major territorial gains for Russia so far. Still, pressure is mounting on the U.S. and NATO to provide additional military assistance and help with evacuations.
“The Ukrainians have been trying for a number of days to negotiate safe passage for civilians and for wounded fighters,” said Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. “There was some hope earlier this morning that the russians might allow that, there will be nato allies involved in that is my understanding.”