Russia says it has taken control of Izyum in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region
Moscow, Mar 24 (EFE).- Russia said on Thursday that its forces have taken full control of the besieged city of Izyum in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where heavy fighting has been seen in recent days.
“By the morning of Mar.24, units of the Russian army completely took control of the city of Izyum,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashénkov told reporters.
“The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out the tasks of a special military operation,” he said.
Konashenkov said that Russian aircraft destroyed 60 military targets in Ukraine overnight, including four ammunition depots and two drones.
The war in Ukraine entered the second month on Thursday with United Nations saying the conflict has forced more than 3.5 million refugees leave the country.
“This is really another tragic milestone for the people of Ukraine and it’s been achieved in just under one month,” said Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency.
The UN estimates that between Feb.24 and Mar.15, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 1,900 civilian casualties – with 726 people killed, including 52 children – mostly caused by explosive weapons in populated areas.
UN chief António Guterres Tuesday said it was time for a diplomatic solution to be found to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, amidst signs of hope that progress could be made to end an “unwinnable” and “indefensible” war.
“Sooner or later, it will have to move from the battlefield to the peace table. This is inevitable,” Guterres told journalists outside the Security Council in New York.
“The only question is: How many more lives must be lost? “How many more bombs must fall? How many more Mariupols must be destroyed? How many more Ukrainians and Russians will be killed before everyone realizes that this war has no winners – only losers?” EFE
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