The mayor of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine says the city is surrounded on multiple fronts, and hospital beds are nearly full amid the Russian aggression.

Borys Filatov gave an interview to NHK on Wednesday.

He said Dnipro is a strategically important location in the war with Russia, and Ukrainian troops have reinforced its defense barriers in four directions against the Russian forces. He stressed that Ukrainians will defend Dnipro.

Many civilians have fled to Dnipro from other parts of eastern Ukraine. The mayor said about 200,000 people, including 50,000 from Mariupol, have come to Dnipro and the city is supporting them.

Filatov said the city is struggling to treat soldiers and civilians who have been injured by shelling, landmines, or missile attacks. He added that Dnipro's hospital beds are nearly full.

The mayor also said he has visited Japan eight times. He expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and Japanese people, saying they strongly oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine.