Russian soldiers were attempting to seize control of Mariupol on Tuesday, as part of a huge attack throughout eastern Ukraine, while defending forces fought tooth and nail to keep them at bay.

Russia is reported to be attempting to establish a link between seized Crimea and the Moscow-backed rebel republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas, and has besieged the strategically positioned city, which was formerly home to over 400,000 people.

Ukrainian military have been “encircled and barred,” according to a tweet by Myhaylo Podolyak, a spokesman for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office.

However, the Ukrainian army reiterated on Monday that “the defence of Mariupol would continue.”

“The link to the defence forces units that are valiantly defending the city is steady and sustained,” the Land Forces of Ukraine posted on Telegram.

In his evening speech, Zelensky appealed to his supporters for more weaponry to bolster the city’s defences.

“We are not receiving nearly enough to bring this battle to a conclusion sooner. To annihilate the adversary on our soil… in particular, to unblock Mariupol, “‘He said.

Earlier in the day, he made a similar request for military help to South Korea’s National Assembly, telling members that Russia had “totally demolished Mariupol and reduced it to ashes.”

“At least tens of thousands of inhabitants of Mariupol must have perished,” he continued.

– Allegations of chemical weapons use –

Late Monday, Britain said that it was conducting an investigation into suggestions that Russia had also deployed chemical weapons in the city.

Western officials have already voiced fear that Russia may turn to such drastic measures as the war enters its seventh week.

Ivanna Klympush, a Ukrainian politician, said that Russia employed a “unknown poison” and that individuals were suffering from respiratory failure as a result.

However, using the messaging app Telegram, Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the city’s mayor, said that there was no confirmation of a chemical assault and that they were “awaiting official military information.”

Elsewhere in the east, severe bombing continued as residents were advised to escape the area ahead of an anticipated Russian army push.

Eight persons were killed in shelling in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, according to Oleg Synegubov, chairman of the regional state administration.

“Our Armed Forces resolutely defend Kharkiv and the surrounding territory,” he posted on his Telegram account.

“As a result of its weakness, the Russian adversary continues to ‘battle’ with the civilian population.”

Russian soldiers are consolidating their positions in the Donbas area, particularly near the town of Izyum, but have not yet begun an attack, Pentagon officials said Monday.

They reported seeing a Russian convoy going towards Izyum, about an hour north of Kramatorsk, and described it as a mixture of people carriers, armoured vehicles, and maybe artillery.

Ukraine’s defence minister said that a significant attack was imminent.

“We don’t know when exactly, but preparations are almost complete,” spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told a Monday briefing.

– ‘Logic of conflict’ –

Such indicators of escalation in Donbas imply that prospects for a rapid diplomatic settlement remain remote.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that he was “quite gloomy” about such measures working since Putin had “massively engaged into a logic of war.”

Ukraine’s allies are instead attempting to boost economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow – but Monday’s EU foreign ministers meeting to discuss a sixth round of sanctions failed to reach an agreement.

“Nothing is off the table,” Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, told reporters after the meeting. “However, no decision was made today.”

Meanwhile, the European police agency Europol said Monday that it has opened an investigation into the assets of Russian people and firms sanctioned in connection with the conflict.

US President Joe Biden had virtual conversations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an attempt to bolster up broader international support for Kyiv, only weeks after suggesting New Delhi’s attitude to the incursion was “shaky.”

“Discussions took place regarding mitigating the destabilising effects of Putin’s war, notably on food supplies, which India might help with,” a US official said.

And the UN Security Council – which met on Monday to discuss the fate of women and children in Ukraine – will meet again next week to discuss the humanitarian situation there, diplomats said, in an effort to maintain pressure on Russia despite its veto power over the body.

– ‘Rape and sexual violence’ –

During Monday’s United Nations Security Council meeting, authorities urged a probe into violence against women during the fighting.

“This battle must come to an end. Currently, “Sima Bahous, head of the United Nations organisation for women, addressed the gathering.

“Rape and sexual assault are becoming more prevalent. To guarantee justice and responsibility, these claims must be independently examined.”

According to the United Nations refugee agency, more than 4.5 million Ukrainians have left their nation, with 90 percent of them being women and children.

Russian forces have been accused of extensive crimes throughout the nation, most notably in the districts around Kyiv from which they have recently retreated, charges Moscow strongly rejects.

Ukraine reports that around 1,200 victims have been discovered in and around the city, and investigators are looking for “500 suspects,” including Putin and other senior Russian officials.

Seven more dead were discovered Monday under the wreckage of two multi-story buildings in Borodianka, the state emergency service said, raising the total to 19.

Lithuania’s prime minister, who was visiting the town, said that she was at a loss for words to describe the damage and accused Russia of war crimes.

“The photographs of the destroyed Ukrainian villages and cities, as well as the stories of survivors, reflect Russia’s true face,” Ingrida Simonyte said.

French investigators have arrived in Ukraine to assist in the investigation of potential war crimes, while the European Union has set aside 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million) for future Ukraine investigations at the International Criminal Court.

The war’s global ramifications became clear Monday, when the World Trade Organization forecasted that global trade growth might almost half this year.

According to the WTO, the war has dealt a “serious damage” to the global economy, and in the long run, may even result in the breakup of the global economy into distinct blocs.

Russia was also condemned by the EU’s Borrell for aggravating the global food crisis, due to its bombing of wheat stores and blocking ships transferring grain overseas.

Also Read

Dozens killed and abducted in Nigeria’s central Plateau gang raids

In a series of raids across Nigeria's central Plateau state, scores of...