UK claims Moscow trying to encircle Ukrainian forces from Kharkiv and Mariupol

As ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered third week, UK Defence Ministry on Sunday claimed that Russian troops are attempting to encircle Ukrainian soldiers in east of country as y move from Kharkiv in north to Mariupol in south. Earlier in day, Ministry shared a Tweet, stating that Russian forces moving from Crimea are aiming to avoid Mykolaiv as y he west toward Odesa. However, Ministry also noted that Russia is paying a high price for each move, as Ukrainian armed forces continue to resist Russian troops throughout war-torn country.

It is to be noted that Kharkiv and Mariupol are two of prime targets of Russian forces as two cities have been continuously attacked ever since onset of Russian invasion on February 24. Oleh Synehubov, who is he of Kharkiv Regional Military ministration, in a Telegram post, stated that around 50 artillery and mortar attacks on residential areas in Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, Izium, and Rohan were fired by inving Russian forces last day.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ukrainian authorities stated that Russian troops destroyed a mosque in Mariupol, which was reported to have sheltered 80 civilians. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry claimed that mosque of Sultan Suleiman Magnificent and his wife Roxolana in Mariupol was shelled by Russian invers, which sheltered over 80 ults and children, including Turkish nationals.

Vlimir Putin welcomes 16,000 volunteers, mostly from middle east

Earlier, it was claimed by UK Defence Ministry that as number of casualties surged, Russia is compelled to rely on alternate sources to bolster its alrey overstretched regular forces. It also stated that Russia was planning to help invasion by deploying seasoned mercenaries from Russian Private Military Companies. Earlier yesterday, Ministry stated that Russian President Vlimir Putin welcomed 16,000 volunteers, most of m from middle east, to support country's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine war

President Putin declared war on Ukraine and launched a large-scale attack on country on February 24. Artillery, MLRS, and ballistic missiles are used by Russian troops to shell and destroy infrastructure in Ukrainian cities and towns. Soon after onset of invasion, Ukraine declared martial law in country and has called for a nationwide mobilisation.

Image: AP