The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced today that Russian forces, with the assistance of armor and artillery, are carrying out “sweeping operations” at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, where the last defenders of Mariupol have been fortified.
Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanik did not provide further details, but said there was no immediate evidence that Russian bombers could attack in the future.
Russia has in the past denied allegations by Ukrainian officials that it tried to storm the plant in the Sea of ​​Azov, where civilians have taken refuge.
Meanwhile, the Russian Interfax news agency, citing today’s statements the head of the Russian negotiators, Vladimir Medinsky, conveyed that the Peace talks with Ukraine have not stopped and are being conducted remotely.
THE Moscow blames Kyiv that it is delaying the talks and that it is using reports of atrocities committed by Russian troops to undermine the negotiations. Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Asked when live talks with Ukrainian negotiators could take place, Medinsky replied: “We need to be more specific in order to meet in person.”
The Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams have not held live peace talks since March 29, although they have videotaped talks.
THE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last month that there was a high risk of talks endingblaming public outrage over what he said was horrific atrocities committed by Russian forces as they withdrew from parts of northern Ukraine around Kyiv.
THE Russian President Vladimir Putin calls Moscow’s actions a “special military operation” aimed at disarming Ukraine, defending Russian-speakers from persecution and preventing the US and its allies from using the country to threaten Russia.
Ukraine denies Putin’s allegations of persecution and denies that Ukraine or Western countries pose any threat to Russia.
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