There Is Nothing Left In Mariupol, Says Zelenskyy, 100,000 Still Trapped In Inhumane Conditions
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters the 28th day, the city of Mariupol which has beared the brunt of the attacks is left in ruins.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there was "nothing left" of the city of Mariupol, which until recently was home to a population of 400,000.
"There is nothing left there. Only ruins," Zelenskyy said while addressing the Italian parliament via a video link.
In another video, Zelenskyy said that more than 7,000 people had escaped in the last 24 hours alone, but one group travelling along an agreed humanitarian route west of the city were "simply captured by the occupiers."
He warned that many thousands more were unable to leave as the humanitarian situation worsens.
"Today, the city still has nearly 100,000 people in inhumane conditions. In a total siege. Without food, water, medication, under constant shelling and under constant bombing," he said, renewing calls for Russia to allow safe humanitarian corridors for civilians to escape.
¡°We are trying to organize stable humanitarian corridors for Mariupol residents, but almost all of our attempts, unfortunately, are foiled by the Russian occupiers, by shelling or deliberate terror,¡± Zelenskyy said.
The Red Cross confirmed a humanitarian aid convoy trying to reach the city had not been able to enter.
Satellite images of Mariupol released by private company Maxar showed a charred landscape, with several buildings ablaze and smoke billowing from the city.
The Pentagon has said Russia is now pummelling Mariupol using artillery, long-range missiles and from naval ships deployed in the nearby Sea of Azov.
Local Ukrainian forces also report "heavy" ground fighting with Russian "infantry storming the city" after they rejected a Monday ultimatum to surrender.
UN relief agencies estimate there have been around 20,000 civilian casualties in the city, and perhaps 3,000 killed, but they stress "the actual figure remains unknown."
Mariupol's former mayor Sergiy Taruta vowed the city would never forgive Russia's siege.
"There will never be enough rage. There will never be enough revenge. There will never be enough of retribution," he said in a Facebook post.
"For all the lives taken, the fates broken, for all the children killed, tears and suffering, each of the occupiers will never be at peace."
¡°They bombed us for the past 20 days,¡± said 39-year-old Viktoria Totsen, who fled into Poland. ¡°During the last five days, the planes were flying over us every five seconds and dropped bombs everywhere ¡ª on residential buildings, kindergartens, art schools, everywhere.¡±
¡°There's no connection with the world. We couldn't ask for help," said Julia Krytska, who was helped by volunteers to make it out with her husband and son. "People don't even have water there.¡±
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