Live: Zelensky asks allies for more weapons as control of Mariupol hangs in balance

Issued on: 12/04/2022 – 06:36

06:10am: Ukraine braces for new Russian offensive as Moscow dismisses rape allegations

Here’s where things stand on Tuesday morning.

Ukraine pleaded for more weapons from the West to help it end the siege of Mariupol and fend off an expected Russian offensive in the east, as more reports emerged of rape and brutality against Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a televised address late on Monday that Russia could resort to chemical weapons as it amassed troops in the eastern Donbas region for a new assault on the port of Mariupol, where thousands are believed to have died under a near-seven week siege.

“When it comes on the necessary weapons, we still depend on supplies, on our partners. Unfortunately we are not getting as much as we need to end this war faster … In particular, to lift the blockade of Mariupol,” he said.

00:42

The first European Union leader to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person since he launched what he called a “special operation”, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, said following talks in Moscow on Monday that an offensive in the east was “being prepared on a massive scale”.

After suffering heavy losses and withdrawing forces from the suburbs of Kyiv, Russia has turned its sights toward Donbas, where it demands Ukraine cede control to separatist fighters.  Capturing Mariupol would allow Moscow to attempt to encircle the main Ukrainian force in the east.

The departure of Russian forces from the outskirts of Kyiv has brought to light harrowing allegations of war crimes including executions and rape of civilians. Moscow dismisses the allegations as Ukrainian and Western provocations and has also accused Ukrainian forces of sexual violence.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)