Russia says 900 Mariupol Defenders Sent to Prison Camp

By DailyNewsUG Correspondent,

In Summary 

• Moscow says more than 900 Ukrainian fighters from the Mariupol steelworks have been taken to a former prison colony, in a Russian-controlled part of Donetsk
• Ukraine hasn’t publicly commented on their fate. A pro-Russian separatist leader says more than 1,000 soldiers are still trapped in the plant

• Kyiv officials have said they hope to exchange them for Russian prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, but their fate remains uncertain.
• Denis Pushilin, a pro-Russian separatist leader, says more than a thousand Ukrainian soldiers including senior commanders are still inside the besieged plant
• In his nightly address on Wednesday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hit out at Moscow, calling the invasion “an absolute failure”.
• The fall of Mariupol represents a strategic victory for Moscow, which is pressing on with its main offensive in the eastern Donbas region
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called Russia’s invasion an “absolute failure” with “catastrophic mistakes” made at the highest level
• It comes after Russia claimed a strategic victory through the fall of Mariupol, as its offensive in the eastern Donbas region continues
• Zelensky has signed decrees to extend martial law and mobilisation for another 90 days in Ukraine
• The UN has warned that the war is increasing the risk of a global food shortage, and poorer nations could face years of hunger
• The G7 is due to meet on Thursday to discuss further financial support for Ukraine
• Meanwhile US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Finland and Sweden to discuss their Nato membership bids