Moscow orders forces to expand attacks

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220426_25/

Russian forces in Ukraine are expanding their offensive, hitting targets outside of their strongholds.

A video taken in Kharkiv in the east shows the aftermath of their attack on apartments.

Russia's defense ministry said on Monday that it attacked 27 military facilities with missiles. The Russian military is apparently aiming to take control of the suburbs of Slovyansk, in the eastern province of Donetsk. The ministry says that it destroyed a command center and an ammunition depot there.

Russia claims it has taken control of Mariupol. The city's mayor was unilaterally appointed by pro-Russian militants. He told a local news outlet Monday that pro-Russian separatists have two hospitals in the city under their control.

He claims that more than 600 students have begun learning after a school opened under the control of the separatists.

A woman fled Mariupol with her 78-year-old mother earlier this month. She said, "I feel very sorry for the people who remain there. Why was my town completely destroyed? I really don't understand. I hope that the national flag of Ukraine?will be raised again."

Russia's defense ministry says six train stations came under fire in western and central areas of Ukraine. The Russians say the strikes were aimed at disrupting arms supplies coming from outside Ukraine.

The attacks came just hours after top US officials met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The US state and defense secretaries pledged more than 700 million dollars of military aid to Ukraine and its allies.

Zelenskyy said, "We agreed with the United States to strengthen the Ukrainian military and further fulfill the priorities of the military."

Britain will also send additional military equipment to Ukraine. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, "I can now announce to the House that we shall be gifting a small number of armored vehicles fitted with launchers for those anti-air missiles. These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced Short-Range anti-air capabilities both day and night."

The British defense secretary says about 15,000 Russian personnel have been killed during their offensive while more than 2,000 armored vehicles have been destroyed or captured, along with 60 helicopters and fighter jets.