According to Russian sources, 959 Ukrainian fighters from the besieged Azovstal steel plant have surrendered in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol since the beginning of the week. The Defense Ministry in Moscow announced on Wednesday that 80 of them were injured. In the past 24 hours alone, there were 694.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message Wednesday evening that influential international mediators were involved in the efforts to rescue them. Kiev hopes to be exchanged for Russian prisoners of war at a later date, but the Russian army initially left such a step open.
Big problems on the Russian side
According to British findings, the Russian armed forces have significant problems with supplies and troop reinforcement in their war against Ukraine. The Defense Ministry in London on Wednesday announced that Russia would have to deploy many auxiliary troops to crush Ukrainian resistance, including thousands of fighters from the autonomous republic of Chechnya. “The deployment of such diverse personnel to the battle demonstrates the significant problems with Russian resources in Ukraine and is likely to contribute to a fragmented command that continues to hamper Russian operations.”
The Chechen troops would mainly be deployed around the disputed port city of Mariupol and in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk. They would likely consist of both volunteers and National Guard units that would otherwise be used to protect the rule of Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov.
Shelling in Lviv
Meanwhile, in western Ukraine on the border with Poland, the mayor of Lviv (Lemberg), Andriy Sadowyj, reported that Russian missiles were constantly fired upon. There are many international organizations in the city that should be upset by this, Sadowyj said on Ukrainian television.
In Lviv, Russia is not only targeting military infrastructure, but also wants to cause lasting tensions with the shelling, Sadovy said. “But if you respond to the air raid siren in time and enter the bunker, it’s not dangerous.” Lviv’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
