Russia bombards cities throughout Ukraine

Authorities have reported several explosions west and east of Ukraine on April 18th, as Russian forces claim to have full control of the port city of Marioupolis, located in southern Ukraine.

After failing to break Ukrainian resistance in the north, the Russian Army has now concentrated its offensive in Donbas, east of Ukraine. But Moscow is also conducting air strikes in other parts of the country, including in the capital, Kiev.

Several explosions have been heard Monday morning in the Ukrainian town of Lviv, believed to have been caused by missile attacks.

Lviv and the rest of western Ukraine have been less affected by fighting compared to other parts of the country since Russia began the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Lviv's chairman, Andriy Sadovy, has written on Facebook that five rockets have hit the city and that emergency services are on the scene. But he didn't give any more details.

Meanwhile, the mayor of this region, Makysm Kolytsky, said that according to “preliminary information”, at least four rockets have hit Lviv.

“Stay in the shelter”, he ordered the citizens of this region through a post on the telegram.

Blasts have also been reported in the southern region of Dipropetrovsk, but there is still no information about the victims or possible damage.

Reports of attacks in Lviv and Dipropetrovsk come as Russia has continued attacks east of Ukraine. Kiev, on the other hand, has pledged to fight “to the end of” in the strategic town of Marioupolis.

As missile attacks continue in various parts of Ukraine, the president of this state, Volodyr Zelensky, has accused Russian soldiers of serving torture and kidnappings in areas under control.

If the port city of Marioupolis fell under Russian control, then it would give Moscow the greatest victory in war. However, several thousand Ukrainian warriors, as Russia has estimated, have been trapped in the steel factory Azovstal, whose complex is 11 square miles [11 sq km].

“We will fight to the end to win this fight”, Ukrainian Prime Minister Danys Schmyhal said, during an interview for ABC. He said Ukraine is prepared to end the war through diplomacy, if possible, “but we don't intend to surrender”.

Meanwhile, during a late Sunday address, Ukrainian President Zelensky said the Ukrainian side is doing everything to protect the country's birth. / REL