Russia’s grip in shattered port city of Mariupol is tightening as its forces continue to strike the Azovstal steel plant, the last remaining holdout of Ukrainian forces in the city. Mariupol officials said they lost contact with the fighters — and that Russia is clearing debris from a bombed-out theater that had served as the city’s main shelter before it was destroyed seven weeks ago to make way for a parade to mark Victory Day.
Russia is escalating attacks on infrastructure critical to Ukraine’s efforts to resupply its forces, amid ongoing assaults in the east. Overnight, Russian forces struck the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, injuring at least 25 civilians and destroying nine homes and a school, according to the regional military chief.
The United States and Britain say they have no signs that Belarus aims to join its ally Russia’s war effort even after it announced military drills this week to respond to “possible crises.” Its president Alexander Lukashenko, who has allowed Russian troops to assemble in Belarus, said he personally was doing “everything” to help end the conflict and that the exercises posed no threat.
European diplomats will meet Thursday as they continue to negotiate proposals to phase out Russian oil imports, ramping up pressure on the Kremlin. The oil proposal could be finalized by the end of the week but must be approved by all E.U. member states. However, two countries — Hungary and Slovakia — have reservations.
