Under Russian bombardment, Ukrainian commander in Mariupol says forces could have only hours left.

A Ukrainian marine commander said his forces and hundreds of civilians hunkered down at a sprawling steel plant in the port city of Mariupol had only days — or perhaps hours — to live.

The government in Kyiv accused Russia of using powerful bunker-busting bombs to drive the Ukrainians above ground, and on Wednesday, officials said that a makeshift hospital near the factory had been bombed overnight, leaving hundreds trapped under the rubble.

Russia said once again that Ukrainian soldiers should surrender if they did not want to be killed, but the Ukrainians vowed to fight until the “last drop of blood.” In a series of videos, phone calls and messages on social media, Ukrainian forces begged for international support to help them fight their way out or be granted safe passage under the supervision of the third party. Read more

@nytimes