Battle intensifies as Ukrainian troops refuse to surrender Mariupol

Ukraine has said its troops will not surrender the besieged strategic port of Mariupol to Russia, as shelling by Moscow’s forces killed civilians in the city of Kharkiv and Pope Francis urged world leaders to work for peace during this “Easter of war”.

Russia told Ukrainian troops holed up in a sprawling metal works in Mariupol to lay down their weapons and leave the site by 1pm local time on Sunday, following more than seven weeks of Russian bombing and street fighting that have reduced the city to ruins

“The remnants of Ukrainian units [in Mariupol] are now completely trapped on the territory of the Azovstal metal works. Their only chance to save their own lives is to voluntarily lay down their arms and surrender,” said Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

The deadline passed without any concession from the Ukrainian troops, who are believed to include marines and members of the Azov regiment that is based near Mariupol.

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“The city still has not fallen,” said Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal. “There’s still our military forces, our soldiers. So they will fight to the end.”

Weapons and diplomacy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that deadlocked peace talks with Russia could be scrapped completely if the defenders of Mariupol were killed. He asked western allies to send heavy weapons urgently or provide diplomatic support to help end the siege through military action or talks.

“The destruction of all our guys in Mariupol – which they are doing now – can put an end to any form of negotiations,” Mr Zelenskiy said, adding that “the situation in Mariupol remains very tough – simply inhuman”.

“There are only two ways to influence this. Either our partners give Ukraine all necessary heavy weapons [and] aircraft – and, without any exaggeration, do it immediately – so we can reduce the pressure the occupiers are putting on Mariupol and end the blockade. Or there is a path of negotiation, in which our partners’ role should also be decisive.”

Officials in Kharkiv said at least five civilians were killed and 13 injured when Russian shells hit a central district of Ukraine’s second city, which is just 35km from the border with Russia and has suffered artillery attacks almost every day over the last week. Moscow also said it had fired long-range missiles to destroy an “ammunition factory” in the town of Brovary, outside Kyiv, early on Sunday.

Destruction and crimes

Russian troops withdrew from Brovary and other towns near the capital after weeks of heavy fighting, and in some – such as Bucha, Hostomel and Borodianka – they left behind massive destruction and what Ukraine says is evidence of potential war crimes.

Reflecting on a Russian invasion that has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 10 million, Pope Francis said on Sunday that Ukraine was “sorely tried by the violence and destruction of the cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged”.

“Our eyes, too, are incredulous on this Easter of war. We have seen all too much blood, all too much violence. Our hearts, too, have been filled with fear and anguish, as so many of our brothers and sisters have had to lock themselves away in order to be safe from bombing,” he said in an address to about 50,000 people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

“Let there be a decision for peace . . . May the leaders of nations hear people’s plea for peace.”