#Russia tries to undermine efforts of the international community aimed at establishing humanitarian corridors from #Mariupol. Now, it manipulates agreements reached by Secretary-General António Guterres and Russia’s President.
Rejection of the agreement announced by the Secretary-General highlights #Russia’s continued disregard towards the UN Charter and core principles of international law.
#Russian troops continue to hold residents of Mariupol and injured #Ukrainian defenders as hostages at the #Azovstal steelworks. The invaders shell and bomb the plant, trying to eliminate the symbol of #Mariupol’s resistance at any cost.
Ukraine’s MFA also condemns #Russia’s plans to organize a so-called ‘press tour’ to #Mariupol and warns all foreign journalists against participating in this propaganda effort aimed solely at shifting the blame of Russia’s war crimes in #Ukraine.
Travel to #Mariupol through the non-controlled parts of the #Russian-Ukrainian state border is a violation of Ukrainian and international law and will lead to foreign nationals being banned from entering #Ukraine.
More than 500 injured #Ukrainian defenders are blocked at the #Azovstal steelworks in #Mariupol. They need urgent medical treatment, as every hour is crucial for saving their lives.
The plant is almost destroyed. #Russia's bombs and airstrikes have killed dozens of #Ukrainian soldiers who had been defending #Mariupol. They need to be buried appropriately.
By blocking humanitarian corridors for injured combatants, #Russia violates basic principles of international humanitarian law. #Russian troops brutally abuse the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field.
Russia’s atrocities in #Mariupol are terrifying. Today, #Russia
carried out dozens of airstrikes on the #Azovstal steelworks, which
remains a shelter for many Mariupol residents.
Dozens of civilians were injured and trapped under the rubble.
These people need urgent treatment and evacuation.
#Russia disrupts all the efforts aimed at establishing safe and reliable humanitarian corridors to provide humanitarian relief and evacuation. Moscow treats people in the #Azovstal steelworks as hostages.
🇺🇦 President @ZelenskyyUa: “Mariupol was surrounded, blocked, is being exhausted, tortured. For the first time in dozens of years, perhaps for the first time since the Nazi invasion, a child died of dehydration. Hear me, today, dear partners! A child died of dehydration in 2022!
The blame for every death in Ukraine from air strikes and in blocked cities lies with 🇷🇺. The fault lies with the invaders, but the responsibility for this lies also with those who havenʼt been able to make a necessary decision somewhere in the offices for 13 days.
I was told that the International Red Cross, forbids us to use the emblem on vehicles carrying out humanitarian missions. The Red Cross prohibits it as if it is their property. This says a lot about the fact that some people, very influential, have decided to give up Ukrainians.
The third day of 🇷🇺 military operation against Ukraine is underway. The enemy has begun redeploying reserve units on the border w/ 🇺🇦, continues to carry out air strikes on airfields, groups of troops of the 🇺🇦 AF in Eastern Ukraine and in the Northern part of KYIV region. 1/4
Single air strikes were carried out in the districts of SUMY, POLTAVA, MARIUPOL. From the Black Sea, 🇷🇺 launched Caliber naval-based cruise missiles across Ukraine. Tactical aviation operations from the territory of Belarus and the TOT Crimea are controlled by 🇷🇺 Air Forces. 2/4
🇷🇺 has repeatedly used operational and tactical aircraft in the areas of YUZHNYI and ODESA, at OZERNE airfield, and at civilian infrastructure facilities in the KYIV region. 3/4
FM @DmytroKuleba at the @unGa: “Today we need much more than hope. We need swift, concrete and resolute actions. A new type of action by the UN and int'l community which is relevant to the level of threat we all, not just Ukraine, face today because of Russia’s aggressive course”
If Russia does not get a severe and decisive response now, this will mean a total bankruptcy of the int'l security system and int'l institutions which are tasked with maintaining the global security order.
If the United Nations makes a pivot right now to become a strong and proactive player, which is not afraid of resolute actions and using all of its might and powers, I am confident that Russia will stop.