The strategic port of Mariupol, which Moscow claims to have “liberated”, is still resisting Russian forces, says kyiv according to which thousands of Ukrainian fighters continue to fight fiercely to defend the immense Azovstal metallurgical complex.
11:11 a.m.
The UN accuses the Russian army of actions “that may amount to war crimes”.
11:03 am
The UN has documented the “murder, including some by summary execution” of 50 civilians in the town of Boutcha on the outskirts of kyiv, a spokeswoman for the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva said on Friday.
“During a mission to Boutcha on April 9, UN human rights investigators documented the killing, including summary execution, of some 50 civilians there,” Ravina Shamdasani said during a regular briefing by the UN. UN in Geneva.
10:37
Russia is aiming for total control of southern Ukraine and the Donbass region to have a land bridge to Crimea annexed by Moscow, a general and senior Russian army official said on Friday.
“Since the beginning of the second phase of the special operation, which began two days ago, one of the objectives of the Russian army has been to establish full control over Donbass and southern Ukraine. This will ensure a land corridor to Crimea, as well as strain vital infrastructure of the Ukrainian economy,” said General Rustam Minnekayev, deputy commander of the forces of the Central Russian Military District, quoted by Russian news agencies
9:22
No evacuation corridor for civilians can be organized Friday in Ukraine, said a Ukrainian government official, judging the situation too “dangerous” on the roads.
“Due to the danger threatening our routes, there will be no humanitarian corridors today,” Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Telegram.
“I am speaking to all those waiting to be evacuated: be patient, please hold on!” She urged in her message.
Thursday, three buses carrying people evacuated from the besieged port of Mariupol had arrived in Zaporijjia, a large city in the south-east, AFP noted.