Fighting until noon on April 13: lots of hot news in Mariupol, negotiations reached a dead end

Situation in eastern and southern Ukraine

According to the Institute for the Study of War (USA), Russia’s campaign in eastern Ukraine continues to a limited extent, while Moscow reorganizes its forces to withdraw from the Kyiv front and to establish the necessary logistical base. for the great war to come.

Russian soldiers in Mariupol on April 12 AFP

In the two regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, Russian forces continued unsuccessfully to advance in Severodonetsk, Lysychansk and Popasna, relying mainly on artillery, despite the ongoing fighting in the inner city of Rubizhne.

In Kharkiv province, Russia is regrouping its forces and increasing its offensive on the Izium axis.

On the southern axis, Russia has not made any significant progress in Kherson province, but has focused on improving defensive positions and conducting reconnaissance flights on April 12.

In Mariupol, Ukraine’s defense efforts continued on April 12 despite reports of dwindling resources and the surrender of troops. Until now, Mariupol has not been completely controlled by Russian forces after many days of siege.

See more: The Ukrainian Marine Brigade in Mariupol posted a farewell message

Sputnik quoted Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, as saying that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered in Mariupol, of which hundreds were wounded. Ukraine has not commented on this data.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said it was difficult to compile an exact death toll since the fighting began, but estimated 21,000 civilians were killed in the city. The leader of Ukraine’s Donetsk province, Pavlo Kyrylenko, estimated that 20,000-22,000 people were killed in Mariupol.

Car military Russia near the Azovstal iron and steel plant in Mariupol Reuters

Ukraine offers to exchange prisoners

Regarding the negotiation situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the peace dialogue with Ukraine had reached a dead end and vowed not to stop the military operation until the goal was achieved.

In response, Ukraine delegation member Mykhailo Podoliak said that negotiations had become very difficult but persisted.

President Zelensky announced that security services had arrested opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk. In February, Mr. Medvedchuk fled his home despite being under house arrest in connection with a treason investigation and is believed to be trying to escape abroad.

Mr. Medvedchuk is said to be a “pro-Russian” character and was accepted by President Putin as the godfather of his daughter. However, Mr. Putin once described Mr. Medvedchuk as a Ukrainian nationalist, according to RT radio.

In a speech on April 13, President Zelensky called on Russia to release prisoners if it wanted “in exchange for one of Moscow’s closest allies, opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk”, according to Reuters. Russia said that it was not possible to verify the fake information.

See more: Ukraine arrests ‘pro-Russian’ politician, offers to exchange prisoners

US and UK increase military aid

Reuters on April 12 quoted two US officials familiar with the situation as saying that the US President’s administration Joe Biden may announce new military assistance of $750 million to Ukraine as early as April 13. If approved, the total value of US security aid to Ukraine under President Biden will increase to more than $3 billion.

See more: The US, UK increase support for more weapons to Ukraine

On April 13, the Pentagon is expected to host a meeting of leaders of the eight largest US arms manufacturers to assess the ability of Ukraine to meet the weapons needs of Ukraine if the war drags on for years.

Regarding military aid, British Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces James Heappey said that a total of 120 armored vehicles for the Ukrainian army are ready to be delivered, and Ukrainian soldiers will come to the UK this week to study. using.

See more: Ukrainian soldiers preparing to go to Britain to learn how to use armored vehicles

During last weekend’s visit to Kyiv, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the latest military aid package to Ukraine including 120 armored vehicles, anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles and artillery shells.