A Russian ultimatum for the last remaining Ukrainian troops holding out in the besieged port city of Mariupol to surrender has passed, as Moscow edged closer to full control of the city in what would be its biggest capture since it invaded Ukraine in February.
The city has been facing a humanitarian catastrophe for weeks, as Russian tanks advanced towards the centre, razing neighbourhoods along the way. The number of civilians killed in the siege is unknown. The Ukrainian-controlled council has accused Russian soldiers of collecting bodies and incinerating them in a mobile crematorium.
Ukraine says it will continue to defend Mariupol and officials reject Russian surrender ultimatum
'Ukraine's armed forces are now fighting Russians from many directions,' says Vitalii Rybak from @InternewsUA pic.twitter.com/tEbdQAtrjf
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) April 17, 2022
Ukraine war: Trucks stuck at Poland-Belarus border as EU sanctions deadline passes
A huge queue of trucks has formed on the Poland-Belarus border as Russian and Belarussian drivers try to leave the EU following a sanctions deadline.
In the run-up to the Saturday deadline, the line extended to 80km (60 miles), with some stuck for up to 33 hours.
The EU has banned lorries from Russia and Belarus – except those carrying medicine, mail or petroleum products – from entering or staying in the bloc.
#Ukraine: Two civilian vehicles, apparently operated by Russian forces, were ambushed by the Ukrainian side, with the weapons inside looted. pic.twitter.com/2wh9aYO0xl
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) April 16, 2022
