A Ukrainian commander of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol said “bloody fighting” with Russian forces inside the complex after they breached the perimeter, while Russia said it would open evacuation corridors from the factory on Thursday.
Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:
Evacuations in Mariupol: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 344 people were evacuated to Zaporizhzhya from Mariupol and the surrounding areas on Wednesday. He also called for a ceasefire to evacuate those left behind in Mariupol, especially women and children trapped in the Azovstal steel mill.
“Bloody fights” at Azovstal: The commander of the Azov regiment at the Azovstal factory, Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko, said “heavy, bloody fighting” is taking place in the complex after Russian forces broke in. Mariupol mayor Vadym Boichenko said on Wednesday that new battles have broken out at the factory, where hundreds of civilians – including 30 children – are still inside, along with the last Ukrainian defenders in the city.
Russia says it will open evacuation corridors: The Russian defense ministry said it expects to open evacuation corridors for civilians from the Azovstal steel plant near Mariupol from Thursday. The evacuations will take place from May 5 to May 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Moscow time, the ministry said.
Russia focuses on foreign weapons: Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that during the most recent round of airstrikes on Ukraine, Russian forces are “trying to hit what we believe are critical infrastructure targets toward the West” in Ukraine, including “electricity, transportation hubs.” strikes, the US is still able to “flow” military aid into the region, including “weapons systems” and other equipment, Kirby said.
Attacks on supply lines: Russian attacks on Ukraine’s supply lines are increasing and investigators are gathering evidence of Russia’s attempts to systematically destroy key infrastructure. The Lviv power station was one of six railway facilities in central and western Ukraine attacked by Russian forces on Tuesday — the railway network is now one of Russia’s main targets.