QUICK READ April 17: Ukraine says Russia won’t stop attacking, causing negotiations to ‘come to a dead end’

Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces withdrew after the siege by Russia – Photo: REUTERS

* More than two hours after Russia’s deadline for ordering Ukrainian forces fighting in Mariupol to lay down their weapons in order to preserve their lives, there is still no report on developments in this city, The Guardian reported.

Previously, Russia asked the remaining forces at the Azovstal factory to leave between 6am and 1pm, local time (ie 10am – 5pm, Vietnam time) without carrying weapons and ammunition.

* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 16 Russia’s relentless attack on the city of Mariupol will cause further diplomatic negotiations to come to a dead endCNN reported.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that although he is very open in his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Russia continues to escalate, the possibilities for negotiations are less and less.

The Russian Defense Ministry issued an ultimatum asking Ukrainian forces defending in Mariupol to lay down their weapons this morning, April 17. In the photo: Smoke rises from the Azovstal Metallurgical Complex in Mariupol, April 14 – Photo: SPUTNIK

* The mayor of the city of Irpin, west of Kiev, said more than 70 percent of the buildings in the town had been damaged or destroyed by Russian forces, according to the Kyiv Independent. UN information based on satellite data shows that 115 buildings here were completely destroyed, 698 buildings were significantly damaged and 187 buildings were partially damaged.

* Russia’s TASS news agency quoted a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry as saying that air defense units Russia downed a military transport plane carrying Western weapons outside Odessa. In addition, Russia also destroyed 67 areas where Ukrainian troops and equipment were concentrated in the past 24 hours.

* Bloomberg reported that billionaire Roman Abramovich has just arrived in Kiev to resume negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, the Russian billionaire’s spokesman denied the information, while the Russian and Ukrainian sides have not yet commented.

* The Russian Ministry of Defense issues an ultimatum ordered Ukrainian forces defending in Mariupol to lay down their weapons, starting at 6:00 am on April 17, Moscow time (about 10 am on April 17, Vietnam time). “We guarantee that whoever lays down their weapons will be spared their lives,” Mizintsev said. Currently Kiev has not responded.

* On April 16, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, complained on Twitter that Ukraine still have not received the number of weapons they requested and urged European countries to send weapons “now”.

In recent times, there have been claims of increased military aid to Ukraine and accordingly more powerful weapons.

* TASS news agency quoted Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying the loss of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries was 23,367 people.

Mr. Konashenkov added that President Zelensky’s recent statement in Western media that Ukraine had between 2,500 and 3,000 service members was a lie.

Firefighters put out a fire on a building in Kharkov after Russia attacked, April 16 – Photo: AP

* CNN reported from the city of St. Petersburg of Russia said The city announced that General Vladimir Frolov had been killed in Ukraine.

Major General Frolov is the deputy commander of the Russian 8th Army Corps. Mayor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov attended the funeral and said that General Frolov had died heroically for the people of Donbass.

* According to CNN, Ukrainian President Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson spoke by phone on April 16. The two leaders discussed defense assistance to Ukraine and increased sanctions against Russia.

* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the afternoon of April 16. The two leaders discussed a long-term security solution for Ukraine.

Mr. Johnson affirmed that he continues to work closely with allies to support Ukraine and will send armored vehicles to the country in the coming days.

* Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk as saying 700 Ukrainian soldiers and more than 1,000 civilians are being held by Russia, of which more than half are women. Ukraine is also holding about 700 Russian prisoners of war.

A total of 1,449 Ukrainians were evacuated from the cities through humanitarian corridors on April 16, less than 2,864 the day before.

* TASS news agency reported that the head of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, met with the crew members of the sunken flagship Moscow. The crew said they continue to serve in the Russian navy.

Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov met the crew of the flagship Moscow, which sank on April 14 – Photo: REUTERS

* Ukraine claims that the weapon used to attack the Moscow flagship is a Neptune missile, developed by this country based on a rocket model from the Soviet era. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the frigate Moscow suffered an explosion in its ammunition depot after a fire, but did not specify the cause.

* CNN quoted Lugansk region official Serhii Haidai as saying that local civilian infrastructure was severely damaged after Russian air strikes.

On April 16, Russia damaged dozens of buildings, including an oil refinery and a hospital.

Russia is also bombing several cities in Ukraine, including Kiev and Lviv, and concentrating its forces towards Kharkov.