In accordance with the wishes of the Russian besiegers, Ukrainian soldiers trapped in the Mariupol steelworks cannot leave the site. The Russian military has rejected any proposal for the unhindered withdrawal of the beleaguered fighters from the Azovstal factory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to Ukrajinska Pravda on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the head of state praised the “superhuman strength” of Ukrainian troops following the successes in Kharkiv, but at the same time warned against letting “excessive emotions” arise over it.
“The defenders of Mariupol remain there, they continue the resistance in the territory of Azovstal,” Zelenskyy said. Kiev continues to use all diplomatic means available to allow the soldiers to be rescued. Russia insists on the surrender of Azovstal supporters.
Zelenskyy: I am grateful to all our protectors
Zelenskyi previously stated that Ukraine currently lacks the heavy weapons needed for a successful effort to liberate Mariupol. On Tuesday, defenders reported heavy shelling by Russian troops. The area was attacked from the air throughout the night, deputy commander of the Azov regiment, Svyatoslav Palamar, told Ukrayinska Pravda. There are many serious injuries. They urgently need to be brought to safety.
More recently, several hundred civilians were evacuated from the site with the mediation of the UN and the Red Cross. Contrary to recent reports of the complete evacuation of all civilians from the Mariupol plant, regional administrator Pavlo Kyrylenko said late on Monday that there were still 100 people there who were not combatants.
Zelenskyy praised the courage and sacrifice of his country’s troops in the fight against the Russian army. “I am grateful to all of our protectors who are defending themselves and showing truly superhuman strength to drive the invaders’ army back,” he said in his daily video speech Tuesday night. And this in the fight against “what was once the second strongest army in the world”.
Despite further successes on several fronts, Zelenskyy did not want to let any euphoria arise. “There is no need to create an atmosphere of specific moral pressure when certain victories are expected on a weekly and even daily basis,” he warned.
The Ukrainian president referred to successful reports from his staff, which on Tuesday reported gains in territory near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The occupiers would be “gradually” expelled from the region. According to the Ukrainian military, several cities were recaptured. The information could not initially be independently verified.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing everything they can to free our country and our people,” Zelenskyy said. “All our cities will be liberated – Kherson, Melitopol, Berdyansk, Mariupol and all the others.”
US House of Representatives passes billions in aid package
The House of Representatives in Washington approved an aid package for Ukraine requested by US President Joe Biden for billions of dollars and passed it by a large majority. In the House of Representatives on Tuesday night (local time), 368 lawmakers from Biden’s Democrats and opposition Republicans voted in favor of the bill. The 57 votes against came from the ranks of the Republicans. The package is worth nearly US$40 billion (€38 billion). The Senate still needs to approve.
Biden asked Congress for $33 billion. In the now-enhanced pack, about half of the total amount goes to defense.