One week following the Russian occupation of Ukraine, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last Thursday. The second round of peace talks will take place in Belarus today. The Russian offensive is now concentrated in the cities. Russia claims to have captured the Ukrainian city of Kerson. In the last 36 hours, Russian troops have been invading Ukraine. Heavy shelling is still going on in Mariupol. The attack on Mariupol lasted for 14 consecutive hours.
Large-scale attacks continue in the northeastern Kharkiv and Kia. The mayor reiterates that Kharkiv will not give up. In many cities, water and electricity are cut off. Russia destroyed military hospitals. The 60-kilometer military convoy is still near the capital, Kia. But the U.S. Defense Ministry says Russia has failed to make much headway in Kia.
The United Nations says 227 civilians have been killed in Ukraine. Russia has also confirmed that 498 soldiers have been killed. About 9 million people have fled Ukraine so far. Vladimir Putin talks with Israeli Prime Minister Naphtali Bennett regarding special military action to protect the Donbass.