Day 16: Russian forces encircle major Ukrainian cities
Russian forces are reportedly encircling at least four major Ukrainian cities as Moscow’s military operation in the ex-Soviet republic goes through its 16th consecutive day.
Reports coming out of the capital Kiev on Friday showed that a column of Russian armored vehicles were massing outside the city.
Elsewhere, the Russian troops have surrounded the city of Kharkiv in the east, Sumy in northeast, and the strategic city of Mariupol in the south.
The Russian military is, meanwhile, setting up safe passages for locals to leave the cities.
Thousands of locals have been able to leave Sumy through a humanitarian corridor. Attempts are also underway to evacuate an estimated 200,000 civilians from Mariupol.
On Thursday, the Russian military said it would not wait for Kiev to get on board with its proposal for evacuation routes, and will ensure safe passage of civilians from Ukrainian cities, the Russia Today reported.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” aimed at “demilitarization” of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine. In 2014, the two regions declared themselves new republics, refusing to recognize Ukraine’s Western-backed government.
Announcing the operation, Putin said the mission was aimed at “defending people who for eight years are suffering persecution and genocide by the Kiev regime.”
Russian forces have already overrun the southern city of Kherson.
Russia says it will halt the military operation instantly if Kiev meets Moscow’s list of conditions.
Moscow has specified some of the demands as protection of its interests and nationals in Ukraine and prevention of the country’s accession to the Western military alliance of NATO.
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