About two and a half months after Russia recognized its self-proclaimed People’s Republics Donetsk and his Luhanskthey appointed ambassadors to Moscow.
The pro-Russian separatists Donetsk guerrillas announce that their interests in Moscow will now be represented by the Olga Makegevawhile the Luhansk authorities will send the former journalist to Russia Rodion Mirosnik. Mirosnik years ago worked for the pro-Russian former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.
Three days after recognizing the two self-proclaimed democracies, Mr. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered her invasion of Ukraine.
Critical next 24 hours in Ukraine: The May 9 milestone for Putin
THE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that they are in progress diplomatic efforts to save the fighters who have resorted to the huge Azofstal steel plant in Mariupolafter a few dozen civilians were evacuated from there yesterday, Friday.
Ukrainians defending Azovstal have stated that they are not going to be delivered. Ukrainian officials fear that Russian forces they want to eliminate the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, the port city of southern Ukraine, until Monday when Russia celebrates victory of Soviet troops over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Kyiv announced that yesterday Friday they were removed from Azovstal 50 civilianswhile accusing Moscow that violated the unilateral ceasefire which she had declared in order to be able to remove the dozens of civilians trapped in the basement of the factory, which has been under siege for weeks.
Mariupol has suffered heavier bombing from any other region of Ukraine from 24 February when Russia invaded the country.
In a speech late last night, Zelensky said Ukraine was working on a diplomatic effort to rescue fighters defending Azovstal.
“Influential mediators, influential states”, The Ukrainian president stressed without giving further details.
The evacuation of hundreds of civilians from the steel plant began last weekend, following UN interventionbut had to be postponed due to the resumption of fighting.
Fifty women, children and the elderly were removed from Azovstal yesterday afternoon, Irina Verestsuk Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Ukraine. She added that the operation would continue today, but accused the Russians of constantly violating the ceasefire and that the evacuation operation was proceeding slowly.
Moscow confirmed the number of people who left Azovstal, noting: “The humanitarian operation in Azovstal will continue on May 7.” According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the rescued, including 11 children, were handed over to representatives of the UN and the Red Cross.
The mayor of Mariupol had estimated earlier this week that 200 civilians have taken refuge in the factoryhaving few supplies of water and food. It is not clear how many remain in it.
For his part, his boss Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Germaktold the Telegram that 500 civilians were evacuated from Mariupol yesterday, among them some who were in Azovstal.
Germak spoke of “another phase of removal” which will continue in the coming days and thanked the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their help.
THE Russian President Vladimir Putin declared her victory of his troops at Mariupol on 21 April and asked them to shut down the factory and called on the fighters inside to surrender. A few days later, Russia resumed its attack on Azovstal.
The occupation of Mariupol considered of strategic importance for Moscow as it manages to create a corridor connecting the annexed Crimea with the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, dominated by pro-Russian separatist guerrillas.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
