The Kremlin is ‘preparing’ to pound Odessa and ‘choke’ off its lifeline as a ceasefire is called for the besieged city of Mariupol – amid fears Putin could blast the escape route of refugees with airstrikes for a second time.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky today warned that Russian forces are preparing to shell Odessa – a historic port city on the Black Sea coast.
Russia has made progress in southern Ukraine since its invasion 11 days ago, overrunning the city of Kherson and shelling the port of Mariupol, but Odessa has so far been largely spared.
Russia targeting cities as strength of Ukraine’s resistance ‘continues to surprise’, UK says
The strength of Ukraine’s resistance “continues to surprise Russia”, a British intelligence report has said, despite attempts by invading troops to break Ukrainian morale by targeting populated areas.
In its daily intelligence report, the Ministry of Defence said Russia had responded to the unexpected ferocity of the Ukrainian military response by targeting cities such as Kharkiv, Chirnihiv and Mariupol.
It used similar tactics in Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016, employing both air and ground-based munitions.
Ukraine: Russia has attacked schools and hospitals, says deputy PM
Russia is striking civilian targets in Ukraine, including hospitals, nurseries, and schools, the Ukrainian deputy prime minister has said,
Olha Stefanishyna told the BBC that, after “strong resistance” from the Ukrainian army, there was an “enormous operation” by Russia against civilians.
She accused Russia of a “terroristic plan”, with attacks coming from the air and also by land.
The World Health Organization also said health facilities are being attacked.
