The industrial region of Donbas in Ukraine has been completely destroyed by the Russian forces, the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said. Donbas is the main target of Russian troops after being pushed back from the regions of Kyiv and Kharkiv. The Russian army resorts to intense shelling, including over towns, in an attempt to break through the Ukrainian frontline. Odessa has been also a preferred target of Russian bombings lately, president Zelensky also said. Odessa is Ukraine’s main port city and has been under Russian blockade since the war started, which prevents Ukraine’s exports and affects global food supplies and food prices. On the other hand, the last Ukrainian soldiers in the Azovstal plant have been ordered by Kyiv to „stop defending the city of Mariupol,” the leader of the Azov Regiment announced. After the recent evacuation of the civilians, including women and children, who had taken refuge in the plant, nearly 2,000 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to the Russian troops as of Monday, including wounded soldiers, according to the latest figures announced on Friday by the Russian defence ministry.
Eugen Cojocariu, Radio Romania International
