Russia has intensified its offensive against Ukraine, closing off major cities with heat, electricity and water sources. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky warned that Russia was preparing to launch an offensive against the more economically strategic port of Odessa.
The city council of Mariupol, one of the worst-hit cities, said Sunday it would resume efforts to evacuate people from the war zone – less than 24 hours after a temporary ceasefire collapsed, accusing Ukrainian officials of shelling Russian troops.
The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a house south of the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Russia’s response to the Ukrainian resistance is surprisingly “scale and strength.” Britain’s defense ministry says Russia has deployed “similar” defenses targeting residential areas in several cities in a clear attempt to demoralize Ukraine. Western officials warn that it could be a long journey.
The Ukrainian military has built up an unexpectedly strong defense against the invading Russian forces. But they also suffer from supply problems and lack of courage. But the war is just two weeks old, and officials expect the Russian military to reverse its original losses, setting the stage for a protracted bloody uprising in Washington and the European capitals.
Western countries are beginning to shape the way they support a Ukrainian resistance. However, officials have been reluctant to discuss detailed plans, as they have already predicted a Russian military victory. But as a first step, according to several U.S. and European officials, allies in Ukraine were drawing up plans on how to help establish and support an exile government that could lead guerrilla operations against Russian aggressors.
The weapons that the U.S. has provided to the Ukrainian military and the weapons flowing into the country will be crucial to the success of the insurgency, officials said. The Biden administration has called on Congress, which has a rare bipartisan spirit to defend Ukraine, to secure a $ 10 billion humanitarian aid and military package that includes funding to replenish the arms shipments it has already sent.
Odessa is the third largest city in Ukraine with a population of about one million. Russian troops are preparing to bomb Odessa, an economically crucial port, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky said in an emotional video on Sunday.
“The Russians always went to Odessa, always felt the warmth of Odessa,” Selensky said. “And now what? Bombs against Odessa, artillery against Odessa, rockets against Odessa. This would be a war crime.
Odessa is the most economically strategic port in the southern cities of Ukraine, making it a clear target for Russian troops already encircling shipyards across the Black Sea coast. The city’s beaches are usually full of sunset tourists. It is now full of mines. Sandbags are placed for roadblocks. Russian warships can be seen off the coast for days.
The threat in Odessa comes after a rocket-propelled grenade exploded through homes south of the capital, Kiev, while Russia was targeting residential areas across several cities as a push to “break the Ukrainian morale.”
Dining with people in areas that were busy 12 days ago, shopping and lunch walks, no electricity, no heating and no running water. More than 1.5 million people have fled the country and thousands more are being evacuated during a ceasefire planned for Sunday. But there is uncertainty about the escape attempt: less than 24 hours after the Russian shelling, another ceasefire was broken.
