Ukrainian forces on Sunday resisted demands by Russia's Defense Ministry to "lay down their arms and surrender" Mariupol or face being "eliminated."
The big picture: Mariupol has endured heavy shelling and Russian forces have been encircling the key strategic port city for weeks. Russian officials claim they now control Mariupol's urban areas. But Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Sunday Mariupol "has not fallen" and Ukrainian troops "will fight to the end."
People in the area of Mariupol under the control of Russia's military and pro-Russian separatists on April 17. Photo: Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Russian forces near Mariupol. Photo: Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Damaged buildings in an area of Mariupol under the control of Russia's military and pro-Russian separatists, on April 17. Photo: Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Mariupol residents on April 14. Photo: Victor/Xinhua via Getty Images
An aerial view of Mariupol on April 12, as Russian forces intensified attacks. Photo: Andrey Bordulin/AFP via Getty Images
People on a Mariupol street on April 12. Photo: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images
This picture taken from the Mariupol theater, bombed last month, shows the central avenue of Mariupol on April 12. Photo: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images
