Russian troops advance to Mariupol’s center and seize a factory held by Ukrainians.

Russian troops have advanced into the center of the strategic southern port of Mariupol and have seized a metal plant that was one of the remaining strongholds for Ukrainian forces defending the city.

The advance was a sign that Russia could be on the brink of capturing the besieged city — the site of the bloodiest and longest battle in the seven-week war in Ukraine. The capture of Mariupol would provide President Vladimir Putin of Russia with a moment of victory after his army’s failure to seize the capital of Kyiv.

Located on the Sea of Azov between the Russian-held Donbas region in the east and Crimea in the south, Mariupol is strategically important for the next phase of the war. If the city falls under Russian control, it would help Russia in its military aim of linking those regions as it continues to mass forces for a large-scale assault. Read more

@nytimes