Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes tens of thousands of people have been killed in the southern port city of Mariupol. Heavy fighting has been going on in and around the city for weeks by Russian and Ukrainian soldiers.
Access to Mariupol is still minimal, making it difficult for the Ukrainian government or United Nations observers to get a good picture of what happened in the city. The death toll that Zelensky mentions cannot yet be verified. Evacuation routes are still being opened daily for people who want to leave the city.
Mariupol has been destroyed, and tens of thousands have been killed, but Russia is not stopping the offensive despite this.
Zelensky said in a speech to the South Korean parliament that Russia will not stop until it is forced. “Russia is now bringing together tens of thousands of soldiers for another offensive. We need more help if we are to survive this war.”
According to the president, Russia has destroyed much of Ukraine’s infrastructure. For example, he says that the Russians destroyed at least 300 hospitals.