Russian officials are urging Ukrainians defending the key port city of Mariupol to lay down their weapons and surrender, even as heavy fighting rages in the country's east. Ukrainian troops in Mariupol have made an urgent plea that hundreds of civilians holed up at a steel factory be evacuated.

The Russian defense ministry renewed its call for Ukrainian troops to surrender. US media reported on the desperate plea from a purported Ukrainian marine commander to world leaders.
Serhiy Volyna, the 36th Separate Marine Brigate commander, said, "This is our address to the world. This could be our last message. We might only have a few days or even hours remaining. Mariupol military garrison has more than 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians, including women and children. We're asking to provide us safety on the third country territory."

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced on social media Wednesday that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to allow women, children and the elderly to flee the city.

Western nations are stepping up military assistance to Ukraine. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby says the country has received additional aircraft and aircraft parts.
Kirby said, "They right now have available to them more fixed-wing fighter aircraft than they did two weeks ago. And that's not by accident, that's because other nations who have experience with those kinds of aircraft have been able to help them get more aircraft up and running."

A US think tank says there was fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine in the 24 hours through Tuesday afternoon.

A senior US defense official says Russian ground offensives there are being supported by long-range weapons, mostly artillery.

The official says those battles are preludes to larger operations.

Earlier this week, Russia held rehearsals for May 9th ceremonies to commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Some analysts speculate President Vladimir Putin aims to gain control of eastern Ukraine by that day.

A senior figure in Russia's parliament is demanding that Japan explain why it's planning to send protective gear against chemical weapons and drones to Ukraine. Irina Yarovaya told Russian media it implies that what she called Ukrainian Nazis are preparing chemical or biological attacks on the civilian population.

The Russian Ambassador to Japan is also warning of retaliation for the expulsion of eight Russian officials from Japan on Wednesday. Mikhail Galuzin told Russian state media that Moscow will duly respond to the expulsions.