Nearly 5,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine's Mariupol: report

Nearly 5,000 civilians have died in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol since it was surrounded by Russian forces at the start of this month, a website has reported.

Nearly 5,000 civilians, including about 210 children, have died in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is surrounded by Russian forces, a website has reported.

Photo: PAP/EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

Mariupol has been under Russian siege since March 1. During this time, almost 5,000 people, including about 210 children, have been killed in the port city, the prm.ua website reported, citing Mayor Vadym Boychenko.

Russian air strikes and bombs have destroyed 2,340 apartment buildings throughout the city, roughly 90 percent of the total number, according to the Ukrainian website.

In addition, three hospitals, 57 schools and 70 kindergartens have been damaged, prm.ua reported.

Some 140,000 people left Mariupol before the siege began, and a further 150,000 were evacuated afterward, with about 30,000 deported by Russia.

Around 170,000 people still remain in the besieged city, according to the website.

Tuesday is day 34 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a major speech in Warsaw on Saturday, US President Joe Biden told the world that Vladimir Putin should no longer remain in power amid Russia's brutal war against Ukraine.

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Source: IAR, PAP, prm.ua