Ivan Fedorov, The Mayor of Russian-Controlled Melitopol,
was kidnapped by 10 Russian soldiers. His location is unknown.
The President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the Russian troops for abducting Ivan Fedorov, the Mayor of Melitopol , a city in South-Eastern Ukraine which is now under Russian control.
As per Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, 10 soldiers entered the premises of Melitopol’s crisis centre, put a bag over Fedorov’s head and took him to an unknown location.
Terming the act as a crime against democracy, Zelenskyy said, “They did not find any support on our land, although they counted on it. Because for years they’ve been lying to themselves that people in Ukraine were supposedly waiting for Russia to come.”
Ukraine has called on the international community to respond immediately to the abduction of Ivan Federov and other civilians, and to increase pressure on Russia to end its barbaric war against the Ukrainian people. The Russian forces entered Melitopol on the second day of their invasion, on February 25, 2022. They received resistance from Federov who led several rallies against the invasion which were attended by thousands of people. He also warned that city is having shortage of food and medicine.
Meanwhile, the President of United States (U.S.) – Joe Biden said that U.S direct intervention in Ukraine will lead to World War III. Zelenskyy also spoke to Biden and asked him for more sanctions on Russia. During the call, Biden told Zelenskyy that U.S. is moving to suspend normal trade relations with Russia.
Taking it to twitter, Zelenskyy tweeted,
Had a substantive conversation with @POTUS. Gave him the assessment of the situation on the battlefield, informed about the crimes of Russia against the civilian population. We agreed on further steps to support the defense of Ukraine and increase sanctions against Russia.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 11, 2022
Biden also tweeted,
I called @ZelenskyyUa this morning to discuss our ongoing security, humanitarian, and economic assistance for the Ukrainian people. I updated him on the actions we are taking today in coordination with the G7 and EU to further raise the costs on Russia for its attack on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/5lC8ueifFn
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 11, 2022
Meanwhile, there have been continued explosions in Kyiv today, i.e., Saturday, March 12, 2022. Intense fighting continues on the outskirts of the city with the city’s administration saying areas to the north remain the most dangerous, including the suburbs of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, as well as the district of Vyshorod further North of Kyiv. Fighting has also escalated in Brovary, across the Dnieper River, East of the city.
The city has food and medical supplies that could last maximum a week or two. To prevent their country, the Ukrainian forces have dug up defensive positions along all the main thoroughfares leading into the city. This means even if Russian forces are able to encircle it, they will face resistance from Ukraine.
Source: Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC
