Photograph: Maxar Technologies/AFP/Getty ImagesThe mayor estimated that more than 20,000 Mariupol residents had been killed since Russian forces began attacking the city during the early days of Vladimir Putin’s invasion. He said Ukrainian soldiers remained holed up in the Azovstal steel factory on Mariupol’s left bank, with between 300 and 1,000 civilians, including women and children. Ukrainian forces there are already outnumbered by three to one. Ukraine, however, scoffed at the idea that a Russian victory in Mariupol was already achieved. Putin’s public appeal to “protect the lives” of Russian soldiers mighty indicate that the Kremlin is concerned it appears indifferent to its losses, critics said.

Source: The Guardian April 22, 2022 13:25 UTC