Ukraine on Monday refused the humanitarian corridors to Russia and Belarus offered by Moscow. The country is preparing for new offensives on several cities in the country, including Kyiv, after another night of heavy bombing.
“It is not an acceptable option”. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Monday that her country refused the humanitarian corridors to Russia and Belarus offered by Moscow. On the twelfth day of the Russian invasion, Moscow announced at dawn the establishment of local ceasefires and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the evacuation of civilians from several cities in Ukraine, including the capital. , Kyiv. But half of these corridors join Russia or Belarus, the country from which the Russian army entered Ukraine on February 24. The Ukrainian government therefore immediately refused this proposal and now expects new offensives.
“Organization for the Protection of Civilians”
The Russian army claims that these humanitarian corridors come from a “personal request” of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, addressed to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two leaders spoke for two hours on Sunday by telephone. Emmanuel Macron did not “obviously not” asked for such corridors to Russia or Belarus, replied the Elysée. the Elysée recalls that the request from Paris “like the rest of the allies and partners is that the Russian offensive ceases”. Corn “As long as the offensive is underway, because the Russians refuse to put an end to it, we must respect international humanitarian law, the protection of civilian populations and the delivery of aid”, adds the presidency. Emmanuel Macron told Vladimir Putin that “this meant that the protection of civilians had to be organized and that humanitarian access had to be allowed”according to an adviser, recalling “every time it is Russia that is waging war on Ukraine and not Ukraine that is waging war on Russia”.
The establishment of humanitarian corridors was to concern Kyiv, but also Kharkiv (north-east), the country’s second city targeted overnight from Sunday to Monday by new bombardments. A sports complex and residential buildings were affected. Also targeted, Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov (southeast), besieged by the Russian army, and Sumy (northeast). But in recent days, two attempts to evacuate civilians from the besieged port of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine have failed. At issue: Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of violating the conditions of the evacuation. This refusal from Kiev comes as a third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia is due to take place on Monday, according to Kiev.
“Kyiv will hold!”
The fighting temporarily decreased in intensity due to “huge losses” on the Russian side, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on his Facebook page on Monday morning. Corn “the occupiers are trying to concentrate their forces and resources for a new series of attacks”he said. “Primarily Kyiv, Kharkiv, Cherniguiv (north) and Mykolayev (south)”he specified.
Nine people were killed Sunday in the bombardment by the Russian army of Vinnytsia airport, some 200 km southwest of Kiev. The mayor of Gostomel, a city that hosts a military base northwest of Kyiv, was killed “as he distributed bread and medicine to the sick, and comforted the wounded”announced the town hall.
The Russian army has massed forces around Kyiv and is going “probably try to take the city in the next few days”, said an adviser to the Minister of the Interior. Ukrainian forces stand ready to destroy the last bridge linking Kiev to its western hinterland to halt the advance of Russian tanks. “The capital is preparing to defend itself”, launched the mayor of Kyiv and former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. And to proclaim: “Kyiv will hold! Will fight back! Let’s dress together! Glory to Ukraine!”.