About 120,000 people trapped in besieged Mariupol - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a joint briefing with European Council President Charles Michel in Kyiv on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Russian troops have launched a large-scale offensive in the Donbas. We understand that. We see all the risks and we see all the steps. They continue to launch missile strikes throughout our country. According to our data, about 120,000 people are under siege in Mariupol alone. The crimes that are committed there are much more terrible than in Borodianka," he said.

At the same time, he expressed confidence that through their joint efforts Ukraine and Europe will be able to bring all perpetrators to justice. Zelensky said he had agreed with Michel to cooperate in investigating war crimes committed by the Russian military.

Russia's aggression caused one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol. The invaders are bombing unarmed residents and blocking humanitarian aid.

The mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, said earlier that up to 20,000 civilians had died in the city since the Russian invasion started. About 120,000 civilians remain trapped in the besieged Mariupol.

Photo: Stringer, Anadolu Agency