Ukraine Invasion: Part 23

[MagicFox]

Welcome all, thanks for the company

I heard on the World Service last night that the Ukrainians said twenty women and children had been evacuated from Mariupol (into Ukraine-held territory) and the Russians were saying twenty-five, then I heard on the World Service this morning that the Russians were saying forty women and children had been evacuated from Mariupol. This wasn't being said as extra to the twenty-five they were claiming yesterday, though. So I don't know what is really being claimed by whom, and how much actual evidence there is for either claim, nor where these evacuees have been taken.

I would be gob smacked if Putin let's the soldiers walk away, it's too good an opportunity. There are many, they are hard as nails, and have been nigh impossible to kill. They won't have them cornered like this again.

Would LOVE to be wrong.

Just maybe if the women and children and injured are out safely, they will try to make a breakout ... depends on how many and how many resources they have left, I supposed

For someone who was asking what life is like in Ukraine for ordinary people now, I haven't listened to it but this program claims to give an accurate portrayal.

meduza.io/en/episodes/2022/04/30/resist-and-rebuild-civilian-life-in-wartime-ukraine

From our Ukrainian guests it sounds like parts of many peoples' lives in Kyiv has changed - many businesses have been affected of course - but a lot goes on the same.

Reports of another 14 people having been evacuated.

Guardian is reporting they have all been evacuated in UN marked vehicles to Ukrainian held territory. Clearly Guterres’ visit with Putin has born some sort of fruit, otherwise I just don’t think this could have happened.

Fingers crossed for more.

😁

Hope so Lg!

I would love to troops to get out (or break out!) safely after holding out for so long. Also don't want Putin to claim Mariupol completely and has finally taken 100% of the city, or what he's left of it.

Is there a strategic victory, more than taking 1 city, that Putin can claim if he takes Mariupol? Thinking about his May 9th deadline.

If this goes well it’s a major victory. Literally praying for each and every one of them.

Confirmed now by both the UN and Red Cross. Heart is in my mouth but this finally feels like it might be it. If, and that’s a big if, they get out my god it must feel incredible.

I am so glad that women and children are finally able to leave the steel plant in UN vehicles.

I am worried for the Ukrainian soldiers still holed up in there. Will they be allowed to leave. Will they even want to leave? Some of them are gravely injured and in need of urgent medical attention. But if the soldiers leave, won't they be giving up Mariupol to the Russians which they have sworn not to.

Is Putin only allowing the evacuation because it is the only way he can finally 'take' the steel plant?

I’m unsure currently of Putin’s motives, who knows if we’ll ever know. But a ceasefire is being observed and that almost certainly wouldn’t happen without the say so of Putin. I worry that Ukraine have agreed to something to let this happen.

twitter.com/walter_report/status/1520772689044164611?s=21&t=QGUJU5q4mVSyY2qX2X8bMg

Starting at 4pm. I find these very interesting with lots of diverse conversation and expertise and, hopefully, they will talk about Mariupol situation. I am also worried about the Moldova situation and there's still stirrings about a Kilo class sub(s) in the Black Sea.

So if you remember the Ukrainians did another general yesterday in a strike near izyum. It was thought that 400 Russian soldiers were killed.

Anyway we also knew that the head of the war in Ukraine Gerasimov was known to be in the area but it wasn't clear if it was the same place.

Anyway there are now growing suspicions that he was indeed at that location and has been killed or injured.

This is the advisor to the minister of interal affairs of Ukraine

Anton Gerashchecko AT gerashchecko_en
We received confirmation of yesterday's explosion in #Izium (Eastern Ukraine ) near Russian headquarters. It is known that Russian Head of General Staff Gerasimov was there to lead attack on #Sloviansk.

Large number of casualties among senior Russian officers has been confirmed.

It's believed 20 senior offices were taken out in the incident.

6m ago reports of 100 leaving the steelworks! The people making this happen are incredible!

Moldova is claiming the Russians are launching cyber attacks on its government websites.

If officials have reached the Steelworks then they will have brought at least some water, food and emergency medical supplies for the people.

Im afraid Gerasimov won't be out of action long, if this is accurate :s

Former #Ukraine Minister of Internal Affairs Avakov confirms #Gerasimov has been wounded! "Chief General Staff of the Armed Forces of Valery Gerasimov was wounded on the territory of . He received a shrapnel wound to the right lower leg without a bone fracture"

Source: twitter.com/uasupport999

You know you've lowered your (moral) standards when you're disappointed someone didn't die. A shrapnel wound to the leg isnt going to take him out for long?

But will it take him out for long enough to save his life?
If he had to return from the Donbas in defeat which is not impossible, what future would await him.
Now our gallant hero has been injured so cannot take charge and so it can't be his fault when it all falls apart.

I was just wondering if this made me a terrible person 😂

Re cyber attacks against Moldova whilst this is obviously concerning it is 100% not the only country against whom Russia is doing this.

@jgw1 good point! If you've got this right, could that mean he couldn't see a victory for Russia in the Donbas?

BBC News: Mariupol civilian evacuation begins to Ukraine and Russia-held territories
**
Looks like evacuees are being taken to different areas ...
**
**