More than 1,000 Ukrainian marines defending the besieged port city of Mariupol have surrendered, Moscow has said, as the presidents of four countries bordering Russia head to Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine.
In one of the most critical battles of the war, Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday 1,026 soldiers from Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had “voluntarily laid down their arms” near the city’s Ilyich iron and steelworks.
There was no independent confirmation of the claim.
Analysis: Looming battle in Donbas to shape course of Russia’s war in Ukraine
LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) – Russia is beefing up its forces for a new assault on Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, setting the stage for a protracted battle that is certain to inflict heavy losses on both sides as the Russians try to encircle Ukraine’s fighters, analysts said.
Military analysts are wary of predicting who will win the battle for Ukraine’s industrial heartland of Donbas, a crucial conflict that will likely be brutal and ultimately define the course of the war.
#Ukraine: Indirect fire from the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army striking Russian targets, observed from both TB-2 and commercial drones.
Although what is hit is very unclear, it appears that 3+ vehicles are damaged or destroyed. pic.twitter.com/xQGGJzwZMM
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) April 13, 2022
#Ukraine: A projectile launched by the Ukrainian troops hitting the side of what appears to be Russian BTR-80 armored personnel carrier in #Mariupol. It is likely to be damaged. pic.twitter.com/lTpkWP1FAW
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) April 13, 2022
