New attempts to evacuate civilians in Ukraine

Western countries denounced the invasion and sought to support Ukraine with weapons – and to punish Vladimir Putin’s Russia with sanctions. The measures have dealt a severe blow to the Russian economy, as companies withdraw or drastically reduce their activities in this country. In a further sign of the country’s economic isolation, Shell announced on Tuesday that it would stop buying oil and natural gas from it.

On Tuesday, a crowded convoy of buses moved along a snowy road from the northeastern city of Sumy, according to video from the Ukrainian Communications Agency. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the convoy was heading southwest towards the Ukrainian city of Poltava and included Indian and Chinese students.

Meanwhile, buses emblazoned with red cross symbols carrying water, basic foodstuffs and medicine headed for the beleaguered southern port of Mariupol, scene of some of the war’s worst scenes of desperation. Ms. Vereshchuk said the vehicles would then ferry the civilians out of town.

But shortly after authorities announced buses were on the way, the Ukrainian president’s office said it received reports of shelling on the escape route. It is unclear whether the supply convoy has arrived in Mariupol – or whether civilians will board the buses freely if the shelling continues.

The town’s mayor also questioned the evacuations, telling the BBC that Russian forces were continuing to shell the area where people were trying to gather. He said some roads were blocked, others were mined.

The situation was becoming more and more untenable in the city, which is without water, heating, sanitation and telephones. Russia destroyed the natural gas supply on Monday.

The Battle of Mariupol is crucial, as its capture could allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. An estimated 200,000 people – almost half the population of 430,000 – hope to flee.

Ms Vereshchuk said Ukraine was also making arrangements to move people out of Kyiv’s Irpin suburb, although it was unclear whether this would be along one of five promised official corridors. by the Russians.

There were few signs, in fact, that these routes were actually being used, beyond the evacuation of Sumy.

Ukrainian officials had rejected the proposals because several of the routes would take people to Russia or its ally Belarus, which served as a launch pad for the invasion. Instead, they called for corridors allowing people to head to western parts of Ukraine that are not under attack.

“Ukraine did not give permission for evacuation to Russia, we did not agree with these routes. Corridors to Russia have also not been agreed with the Red Cross,” Ms Vereschchuk said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday called for the widening of humanitarian corridors and more support from the Red Cross.

In a video address from an undisclosed location, he said a child had died of dehydration in Mariupol, a sign of despair among the city’s people.

He said there was no firm agreement on the Mariupol route, so “Russian troops can just shoot at this transport along the way.”

Mr. Zelensky again pleaded for air support from Western countries. A senior US official said several countries are discussing whether to supply fighter jets to Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement on Tuesday that the Ukrainian forces continue their defense operations in the suburb of Mariupol.

The general staff added that the “demoralized” Russian forces engaged in looting in the places they occupied; requisitioned civilian buildings such as farm sheds for military equipment; and set up firing positions in populated areas. The claims could not be independently verified.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces also took part in operations in Chernihiv and on the outskirts of Kyiv, the general staff said.

On Monday, Moscow again announced a series of demands to stop the invasion, including that Ukraine recognize Crimea as part of Russia and eastern regions controlled by Moscow-backed separatist fighters as independent. Moscow has also insisted that Ukraine change its constitution to ensure it will not join international bodies such as NATO and the EU. Ukraine has already rejected these claims.

by The Canadian Press

New attempts to evacuate civilians in Ukraine

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