About 1,000 civilians remain trapped at a steel plant where Ukrainian forces are making their last stand in the besieged city of Mariupol, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday. Ukraine blamed Russian forces for failing to respect a temporary ceasefire. Follow the day’s events as they unfolded on our liveblog. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).
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3:27am: Red Cross denies Kyiv’s accusation of working ‘in concert’ with Moscow
A senior Kyiv official on Wednesday accused the International Committee of the Red Cross of working “in concert” with Russia in Ukraine, a charge the organisation denied.
Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova decried ICRC’s announcement last month that it was planning to open a branch in Russia’s southern Rostov region to help Ukrainian refugees, who, Kyiv says, have been forcibly deported to Russia.
“The International Red Cross is not fulfilling its mandate, I am certain of that,” Denisova said on Ukrainian television Wednesday after meeting with the head of the ICRC’s Ukrainian branch.
Citing data from the United Nations, Denisova said that some 550,000 Ukrainians, including 121,000 children, have been taken to Russia during the course of the war, but Kyiv has no information on who these people are and where they are being kept.
“Where are they? In filtration camps? In temporary facilities?” Denisova asked.
The official said she had asked both her Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova and the ICRC for help in getting information on these refugees so that Ukraine could facilitate their return home, but had received “zero answer from her or from the Red Cross”.
Asked by the TV anchor whether Denisova suspected that the Red Cross was working “in concert” with Russia, Denisova replied: “Yes, I suspect they are.”
The ICRC strongly rejected Kyiv’s accusations.
“The ICRC does not ever help organize or carry out forced evacuations. We would not support any operation that would go against people’s will and international law,” the organisation said in a statement to AFP.
It added: “Building and maintaining a dialogue with parties to a conflict is essential to get access to all people affected and obtain necessary security guarantees for our teams to deliver life-saving aid.”
2:38am: Chechen leader Kadyrov predicts Mariupol victory on Thursday
Russian forces said they will seize the Mariupol steel plant that is the last main stronghold of resistance in the besieged city on Thursday after Ukraine proposed talks on evacuating troops and civilians there.
Mariupol would be the biggest city to be seized by Russia since invading Ukraine eight weeks ago in an attack that has taken longer than some military analysts expected, seen over five million people flee abroad and turned towns and cities to rubble.
“Before lunchtime, or after lunch, Azovstal will be completely under the control of the forces of the Russian Federation,” Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Russia’s republic of Chechnya, whose forces have been fighting in Ukraine, said of the steel plant.
Ukraine’s defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.
2:12am: G7 finance ministers pledge more than $24 billion to Ukraine
G7 finance ministers said they have provided and pledged together with international community additional support to Ukraine exceeding $24 billion for 2022 and beyond, adding that they were prepared to do more as needed.
In a statement, the ministers said they regretted Russia’s participation in international forums, including G20, International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings this week.
“International organisations and multilateral fora should no longer conduct their activities with Russia in a business-as-usual manner,” the ministers said.
12:42am: US, allies warn of renewed cyberattack threat, citing ‘evolving intelligence’
Five allied countries including the United States warned Wednesday that “evolving intelligence” indicated Russia was poised to launch powerful cyberattacks against rivals supporting Ukraine.
The members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing network – the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – said Moscow could also involve existing cybercrime groups in launching attacks on governments, institutions and businesses.
“Evolving intelligence indicates that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks,” they said in an official cyber threat alert.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could expose organizations both within and beyond the region to increased malicious cyber activity. This activity may occur as a response to the unprecedented economic costs imposed on Russia as well as materiel support provided by the United States and US allies and partners,” it said.
In addition, it said, “some cybercrime groups have recently publicly pledged support for the Russian government”.
“Some groups have also threatened to conduct cyber operations against countries and organizations providing materiel support to Ukraine,” it said.
12:34am: US leads G20 boycott of Russian finance officials
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen led a multinational group of finance chiefs on a walkout Wednesday as Russian officials spoke during a meeting of the G20, in the latest protest by Western nations over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s attack on its neighbour loomed over the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s most developed countries, the first since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in late February.
British and Canadian officials also took part in the boycott, officials confirmed, underscoring the boiling tensions at the gathering convened to address global challenges like rising debt and a possible food crisis.
“Multiple finance ministers and central bank governors including Ukraine Finance Minister (Sergiy Marchenko) and Secretary Yellen walked out when Russia started talking at the G20 meeting,” a source familiar with the event told AFP.
“Some finance ministers and central bank governors who were virtual turned their cameras off when Russia spoke.”
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted a photograph of the officials who left the meeting, saying, “The world’s democracies will not stand idly by in the face of continued Russian aggression and war crimes.”
The world’s democracies will not stand idly by in the face of continued Russian aggression and war crimes. Today Canada and a number of our democratic partners walked out of the G20 plenary when Russia sought to intervene. pic.twitter.com/J67gU810sO
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) April 20, 2022
During the gathering, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called on Russian delegates to refrain from attending the sessions, saying “war is not compatible with international cooperation.”
April 21, 12:08am: Israel agrees to supply helmets, vests to Ukraine rescue services
Israel’s defence minister on Wednesday authorised the supply of helmets and vests to Ukrainian rescue services after speaking with his Ukrainian counterpart, an official Israeli statement said, signalling a shift in Israel’s position on providing such equipment.
“In the light of the request made by the Ukrainian side, Israel will provide protective gear for the needs of Ukrainian rescuers and emergency services,” an English-language statement by the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel said, echoing a statement by an Israeli official.
A mediator in the Ukraine-Russia crisis, Israel has condemned the Russian invasion but has limited itself to humanitarian relief. It has been wary of straining relations with Moscow, a powerbroker in neighbouring Syria where Israel coordinates strikes against Iranian deployments.
Both the Israeli and Ukrainian officials stressed that the shipment is meant for rescue services and civilian organizations.
Ukraine previously voiced frustration with Israel’s refusal to provide what it deems defensive aid against Russia. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel’s “measured and responsible approach” allows it to be “a credible player, one of the few that can communicate directly with both parties, and assist as required”.
The Russian embassy in Israel declined a Reuters request for comment.
11:18pm: Negotiating with Putin like dealing with a crocodile, UK PM Johnson says
British Prime Minister Boris compared negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin to dealing with a crocodile as he warned Ukraine it will be hard to negotiate a peace deal with a leader who is so unreliable.
Johnson said Putin has made it clear that he wants to take more Ukrainian territory and could launch another assault on the country’s capital Kyiv.
“How can you negotiate with a crocodile when it has your leg in your jaws, that is the difficulty that Ukrainians face,” Johnson told reporters on a plane to India for a two-day visit.
“It is very hard to see how the Ukrainians can negotiate with Putin now given his manifest lack of good faith.”
10:51pm: Ukraine proposes 'special round' of negotiations with Russia in Mariupol
Ukraine has proposed to hold a "special round" of negotiations with Russia in Mariupol, according to a top Kyiv official.
"Yes. Without any conditions. We're ready to hold a 'special round of negotiations' right in Mariupol," top Ukraine negotiator and presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.
"One on one. Two on two. To save our guys, Azov, military, civilians, children, the living & the wounded. Everyone. Because they are ours. Because they are in my heart. Forever."
Another key Ukrainian negotiator, David Arakhamia, said on Telegram that he and Podolyak "are ready to arrive in Mariupol to hold talks with the Russian side on the evacuation of our military garrison and civilians".
Earlier Wednesday, Svyatoslav Palamar, a commander in the nationalist Azov regiment that has been defending the city against Russia's siege, said his forces were ready to be evacuated together with civilians from the strategic southern port.
"We are ready to be evacuated with the help of a third party from the city of Mariupol with our small arms," Palamar said in a video posted on Telegram.
He added that the goal was "To evacuate the wounded, get the bodies of the dead out and to bury them with honours on territory not controlled by the Russian Federation."
At the same time, Palamar said his unit would not heed Russia's demands for the troops to surrender fully with their weapons.
8:45pm: Evacuation from Mariupol 'did not work': Kyiv
Efforts to evacuate civilians from Mariupol failed again Wednesday due to Russian shelling, say Ukrainian officials.
"Unfortunately, the humanitarian corridor out of Mariupol today did not work as planned," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Telegram. She blamed Russian forces for failing to respect a temporary ceasefire needed for the convoy because they were unable to control their own troops on the ground.
President Zelensky said conditions in the besieged port city, which has seen the worst fighting of the nearly eight-week long war, continued to worsen, with about 1,000 civilians still trapped at the Azovstal steel plant, the city's last Ukrainian holdout.
7:09pm: Russian ICBM test 'routine' and 'not a threat': Pentagon
Russia "properly notified" the US ahead of its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, adding that the Pentagon saw the test as routine and not a threat to the US.
Earlier Wednesday, Russia said it had conducted a first test launch of its Sarmat ICBM, a new addition to its nuclear arsenal which President Putin said would give Moscow's enemies something to think about.
Kirby also clarified that Ukraine has received parts for their aircraft from allies but not complete warplanes, correcting an earlier statement that built-up aircraft had been delivered.
While fixed-wing aircraft have been offered by an unidentified country to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russia, "they have not received whole aircraft from another nation", said Kirby.
6:03pm: Talks hinge on Ukraine's readiness to take account of Moscow's demands: Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone call that the outcome of talks with Ukraine completely depended on Kyiv's readiness to take into account Russia's demands.
Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed the situation in the besieged port of Mariupol and possible measures aimed at providing safety to civilians, including from foreign countries, said a Russian foreign ministry statement.
5:32pm: EU will do ‘everything possible’ to help Ukraine win war: Michel
Visiting European Council President Charles Michel has said the EU will do “everything possible” to help Ukraine win the war.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Michel told Ukrainians: "You are not alone. We are with you. And will do everything which is possible to support you and to make sure that Ukraine will win the war."
Michel's trip followed visits this month to Kyiv by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
"We discussed sanctions against Russia, defence and financial support for our state, and answers to the questionnaire for compliance with EU criteria," Zelensky wrote on Twitter.
He was referring to a questionnaire that was handed to him by von der Leyen during her visit to the Ukrainian capital and is considered a starting point for Ukraine in its drive for EU membership.
"Thank you for a meaningful meeting and solidarity with the people (of Ukraine)," said Zelensky.
4:55pm: Russia tests new intercontinental ballistic missile
Russia has said it has test-launched its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, a strategic weapon that President Vladimir Putin said would make Russia's foes "think twice".
Putin was shown on TV being briefed by the military that the missile had been launched from Plesetsk in the country's northwest and hit targets in the Kamchatka peninsula in the far east.
4:39pm: Russian, Belarusian players barred from Wimbledon
Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement released by the Grand Slam's organisers All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
"We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime," said Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club.
4:09pm: Civilians under fire in urban areas
Reporting from an abandoned Russian artillery position in the Kyiv satellite town of Bucha, FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg points to the destroyed landscape and says something similar is probably happening in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have been redeployed following their withdrawal from the Kyiv region.
During the Russian occupation of the towns of Irpin and Bucha, Ukrainian troops said they were reticent to fire in the urban Bucha area since civilians could be hurt. “Ukrainians think that’s why Russian troops fired on civilians as they were trying to leave Irpin and Bucha. They fired on the roads by which they were trying to leave because they didn’t want civilians to leave because they were useful to the Russian troops as a sort of human shield that would prevent Ukrainian artillery from firing on them,” explained Cragg.
The Russians though did not have the same scruples and fired more indiscriminately in civilian areas, said Cragg.
3:11pm: 'I expect to find evidence of genocide' in Mariupol: Ukraine's top prosecutor
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova discussed the alleged war crimes committed by the Russian military in Ukraine. Venediktova warned that she expects to find "evidence of genocide" in the besieged port city of Mariupol. The prosecutor general added that Russian forces have committed "sexual crimes" in all occupied areas of Ukraine, targeting women as well as men and children.
More than 7,000 war crime investigations have been opened so far, said Venediktova.
2:54pm: More than a million Ukrainians returned since invasion: border force
Over a million Ukrainians have returned to their country since Russia launched its invasion on February 24, according to a spokesman for Kyiv's border force.
"From that period of time, 1.1 million of our citizens entered Ukraine," border official Andriy Demchenko said at a press conference. He added that "almost five million people" have crossed the Ukrainian border in both directions since war with Moscow erupted.
The UN refugee agency on Wednesday said more than 5 million people have fled Ukraine since the war started. Following the withdrawal of Russian troops in northern Ukraine, as Russia focused on the eastern region, some Ukrainians have returned home, according to the Kyiv border force.
1:41pm: Finnish MPs open debate on joining NATO
Finland's parliament Wednesday will open a debate on whether to seek NATO membership, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a surge in political and public support for joining the military alliance.
Despite Russia warning of a nuclear build-up in the Baltic should Finland and neighbouring Sweden join the military alliance, Finland's prime minister said that her country would now decide quickly on whether to apply for membership.
"I think it will happen quite fast. Within weeks, not within months," Prime Minister Sanna Marin said last week.
1:31pm: Ukrainian forces stop Russian advance towards Sloviansk, presidential aide says
Ukrainian troops have held up an advance by Russian forces from the northeastern city of Izyum towards nearby Sloviansk, Oleksiy Arestovych, a Ukrainian presidential advisor said on Wednesday.
"They have focused their forces there, that is where they are trying to advance, but so far they are not succeeding," he said in a video address.
Arestovych also said that Ukrainian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol have been holding out, despite persistent Russian attacks on the Azovstal steel plant.
1:11pm: More than 5 million Ukrainians have fled war, UN says
More than five million Ukrainians have now fled their country following the Russian invasion, the United Nations said Wednesday, in Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said 5,034,439 Ukrainians had left since Russia invaded on February 24 -- an increase of 53,850 over Tuesday's total.
"Eight weeks into the conflict, we are at five million and counting, with five million unique stories of loss and trauma," said deputy UNHCR chief Kelly T. Clements.
More than 2.8 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to Poland. Three-quarters of a million have gone to Romania.
1:09pm: EU working to provide alternatives to Russian oil amid German scepticism
The EU Commission is working to speed up the availability of alternative energy supplies to try to cut the cost of banning Russian oil and persuade Germany and other reluctant EU nations to accept the measure, an EU source told Reuters.
Some EU countries are also pushing for other new restrictions nearly eight weeks after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
These include excluding Russia's top lenders Sberbank and Gazpromneft from the SWIFT banking system, halting imports of nuclear fuel from Russia, banning more Russian news channels, suspending visas for Russians, and blacklisting additional individuals and companies linked to the Kremlin, diplomats said.
1:07pm: UK's Johnson to offer India alternatives to Russia ties on visit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will offer to help India cut reliance on Russian oil and defence equipment when he begins a two-day visit this week that will test his diplomatic skills and provide brief respite from a row raging at home.
On his first trip to India as prime minister, starting on Thursday, Johnson will discuss strengthening security co-operation in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a spokesperson for the British leader said.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western allies have called for India to speak out against the war. India, which is the world's biggest buyer of Russia's weapons and imports its oil, abstained in a United Nations vote condemning the invasion and has not imposed sanctions on Moscow.
12:56pm: IMF warns of Ukraine war's 'seismic' economic consequences
The "seismic" impact of the war in Ukraine is spreading worldwide, causing the IMF on Tuesday (April 19) to sharply downgrade its 2022 global growth forecast to 3.6 percent. The IMF has also estimated that Ukraine's GDP will collapse by 35% this year, while Russia's output will shrink by 8.5% in 2022. FRANCE 24 's James Andre gives his analysis.
11:57am: Kremlin says reported Wimbledon ban is 'unacceptable'
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a reported ban on Russian players taking part in this year's Wimbledon tennis tournament in London would hurt the tournament itself given Russia's tennis prowess and was unacceptable.
A report on sports industry news site Sportico on Tuesday said Russian players would be banned because of Moscow's decision to send troops into Ukraine in February.
"Given that Russia is a strong tennis country the competitions (which take this decision) will suffer from this," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.
"To make sports people hostages of political intrigue is unacceptable. I hope the players won't lose their fitness."
11:56am: Kremlin accuses Ukraine of changing tune during peace talks
The Kremlin accused Ukraine on Wednesday of going back on commitments it had made during peace talks and said this was having bad consequences for the negotiations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the pace of talks left much to be desired and the ball was in Kyiv's court after Russia handed a document to the Ukrainian side. He said Moscow was waiting for a response.
11:56am: Liberal Russian radio station loses appeal against being taken off air
A Moscow court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy, one of the leading current affairs channels in Russia, against the authorities' move to take it off air over its coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Ekho Moskvy stopped broadcasting last month after the prosecutor general's office demanded that access to the station be restricted. It also ordered that its website be blocked for spreading what it called "deliberately false information" about Russia's military operation.
The station, which has rejected the charges, later shut down under pressure from the authorities.
11:32am: Family of captured British fighter says Moscow breaking Geneva rules
The family of a captured British man fighting in Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of breaking the Geneva Convention after it broadcast a "distressing" video of him.
Russian state TV aired a video on Monday of Aiden Aslin and another captured British fighter identified as Shaun Pinner asking to be exchanged for Viktor Medvedchuk, a wealthy Ukrainian businessman close to President Vladimir Putin.
"The video of Aiden speaking under duress and having clearly suffered physical injuries is deeply distressing," Aslin's family said in a statement released by his local MP Robert Jenrick. "Using images and videos of prisoners of war is in contravention of the Geneva Convention and must stop."
11:31am: Norway gives Ukraine French-made anti-air missiles
Norway has given Ukraine around 100 French-made Mistral anti-air missiles, the government said on Wednesday.
The Mistral launchers and missiles, which have already been delivered, had until now been mounted on Norwegian navy vessels, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Built from the end of the 1980s by defence group Matra, which later merged with European missile developer MBDA, the Mistral is a very short-range surface-to-air missile. It can be used on vehicles, ships and helicopters, or be portable.
11:21am: Western allies to provide more military support to Kyiv
"The allies agreed on the need to continue their support for the Ukrainians, whether it's economic, humanitarian or military – and also the agreement that they need to continue holding Russia accountable," FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani reported from Washington DC.
11:20am: ‘How combat-ready are these forces?’
As Russia launches a new phase in the Ukraine war with the battle for Donbas, there are "US experts saying this is not as intense as it's going to get and that Russia is planning to send yet more troops into these regions" Luhansk and Donetsk, FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv. "Apparently there are 22 battalion tactical groups just on the other side of the Russian border [...] ready to be deployed into eastern Ukraine.
"One of the big questions, though, is how combat-ready are these forces? If they're reconstituted from units that were fighting in Kyiv region and Chernihiv region, where they suffered really severe losses and a pretty crushing defeat, it's not clear what their physical state is, what the state of their equipment is and what their morale level is," Cragg noted.
9:12am: Growing majority of Swedes back joining NATO, opinion poll shows
A growing majority of Swedes are in favour of joining NATO, a poll showed on Wednesday, as policy-makers in both Sweden and Finland weigh up whether Russia's invasion of Ukraine should lead to an end to decades of military neutrality.
The poll by Demoskop and commissioned by the Aftonbladet newspaper showed 57 percent of Swedes now favoured NATO membership, up from 51 percent in March. Those opposed to joining fell to 21 percent from 24 percent, while those who were undecided dipped to 22 percent from 25 percent. The March poll was the first to show a majority of Swedes in favour of joining NATO.
9am: EU Council's Michel makes surprise visit to Kyiv
European Council President Charles Michel made an unexpected visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, following a trip to the Ukrainian capital by the head of the EU's executive earlier this month to show support for the nation fighting a Russian invasion.
"In Kyiv today," Michel, head of the European Council that represents the European Union's 27 member states, said in a tweet with a photograph of him at a train station. "In the heart of a free and democratic Europe."
8:19am: Ukraine says corridor agreed for women, children, elderly to leave Mariupol
Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with Russia on establishing a humanitarian corridor to evacuate women, children and the elderly from the besieged city of Mariupol on Wednesday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.
"Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Mariupol, this is where we will focus our efforts today," she wrote on Facebook.
7:35am: Italy seeks African gas to end dependence on Russia
Italian ministers head to central Africa Wednesday in an urgent quest for new energy deals as Italy scrambles to break away from Russian gas over the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Mario Draghi is looking to add Angola and the Congo Republic to a portfolio of suppliers to substitute Russia, which provides about 45 percent of Italian gas.
"We do not want to depend on Russian gas any longer, because economic dependence must not become political subjection", he said in an interview with the Corriere della Sera daily published on Sunday. "Diversification is possible and can be implemented in a relatively short amount of time – quicker than we imagined just a month ago," he said.
Draghi, who has tested positive for Covid-19, is sending in his stead Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, who will travel to Luanda on Wednesday and Brazzaville on Thursday.
3:55am: Marine in besieged Mariupol says 'maybe facing our last days, if not hours'
A commander for the Ukrainian marines fighting in the last stronghold of Mariupol said his forces were "maybe facing our last days, if not hours" and appealed for extraction in a Facebook post published early Wednesday.
"The enemy is outnumbering us 10 to one," Serhiy Volyna from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade said, sheltering at the besieged Azovstal factory, adding: "We appeal and plead to all world leaders to help us. We ask them to use the procedure of extraction and take us to the territory of a third-party state."
It is not possible to verify information given by either side given the scale of the fighting and lack of communications in Mariupol.
Russian forces are believed to have gradually pushed their way into the city and some Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that a hospital near the Azovstal plant was hit.
Volyna said the Russians had the "advantage in the air, in artillery, in their forces on land, in equipment, and in tanks".
"We are only defending one object – the Azovstal plant – where in addition to military personnel, there are also civilians who have fallen victim to this war," he added.
3:20am: Russia issues new surrender deadline in Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters refuse to lay down arms
Russia gave Ukrainian fighters still holding out in Mariupol a fresh ultimatum to surrender on Wednesday as it pushed for a decisive victory in its new eastern offensive, while Western governments pledged more military help to Kyiv.
Thousands of Russian troops backed by artillery and rocket barrages were advancing in what Ukrainian officials have called the Battle of the Donbas.
Russia's nearly eight-week-long invasion has failed to capture any of Ukraine's largest cities, forcing Moscow to refocus in and around separatist regions.
The biggest attack on a European state since 1945 has, however, seen nearly 5 million people flee abroad and reduced cities to rubble.
Russia was hitting the Azovstal steel plant, the main remaining stronghold in Mariupol, with bunker-buster bombs, a Ukrainian presidential adviser said late on Tuesday. Reuters could not verify the details.
"The world watches the murder of children online and remains silent," adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.
55th day of war. 🇷🇺 continues to shell Azovstal with powerful anti-bunker bombs. The world watches the murder of children online and remains silent. Religious & world leaders can stop it by organizing humanitarian corridors. Otherwise, the blood will be on their hands, too. pic.twitter.com/b9UaGR6VSB
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) April 19, 2022
After an earlier ultimatum to surrender lapsed and as midnight approached, Russia's defence ministry said not a single Ukrainian soldier had laid down their weapons and it renewed the proposal. Ukrainian commanders have vowed not to surrender.
2:05am: US preparing new $800 mn military aid package for Ukraine
The United States is set to approve another $800 million in military aid for Ukraine, less than a week after announcing a package of the same amount, US media reported Tuesday.
Details of the new package are still being worked out, according to CNN, which cited three senior officials in President Joe Biden's administration.
NBC News reported that the new assistance is expected to include more artillery and tens of thousands of shells to help Kyiv combat Russia's invasion, as fighting escalates in the east of Ukraine.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Tuesday that Biden and other world leaders had participated in a call during which they discussed providing additional ammunition and security aid to Ukraine.
Biden on April 13 had unveiled an $800 million package of equipment for Kyiv, including helicopters, howitzers and armoured personnel carriers.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and REUTERS)
