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Russia presses invasion amid ceasefire talks NHK

Russian forces are intensifying their operations in areas along the Black Sea coast in southern Ukraine three weeks into the invasion. The two sides are holding ceasefire negotiations, but there is little optimism for the talks as Russia remains staunchly opposed to US military support for Ukraine.

Many people are flocking to a station in the southern city of Odesa. People boarded a train bound for Poland. Some people bid farewell to their families.

Odesa has long been an international trade port facing the Black Sea. After Russia annexed Crimea, the Ukrainian government moved the functions of the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Crimea to Odesa and regarded it as a key coastal defense.

Russia aims to control Odesa, and separate Ukraine from its maritime logistics network, rendering the country's naval forces unusable.

More than 2,400 civilians in the eastern city of Mariupol are said to have been casualties so far. Many injured civilians are at this hospital.

Ukraine says bombs hit a theater in Mariupol full of people seeking shelter from the airstrikes.

Russia has denied the bombing, instead putting the blame on a far-right Ukrainian militia group. Satellite footage shows the word "children" had been written in Russian both behind and in front of the theater.

Thursday marks three weeks since the invasion began. Russian troops are continuing their advance toward the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

The US is increasing its support for Ukraine. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to provide additional military aid totaling 800 million dollars.

The White House says the aid includes 100 drones and 800 Stinger surface-to-air missile systems.

On Wednesday, Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev held talks over the phone with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Patrushev is said to have expressed opposition to US weapons supplies and other forms of support for Ukraine.

Officials from Russia and Ukraine have been negotiating online since Monday for a possible ceasefire. One of Russia's key demands is for Ukraine to accept neutral status. The delegates are believed to be discussing an alternative security framework involving the US and Ukraine's neighbors, in place of Kyiv joining NATO.

Both Russia and Ukraine have signaled that they are moving toward an agreement. But there appears to be little room for optimism, as large differences remain between the two sides.
Summary
Russian forces intensify operations along Ukraine's Black Sea coast, particularly in Odesa, three weeks into the invasion. People are fleeing to Poland via Odesa station. The city is strategically important as a trade port and a key coastal defense for Ukraine. Russia aims to seize control of
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ID: 62333fb3-3efc-4d68-b637-488f35ed5dbd

Category ID: nhk

URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220317_90/

Date: March 17, 2022

Created: 2022/03/17 23:03

Updated: 2025/12/09 17:31

Last Read: 2022/03/17 23:03