The mayor of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv has disputed Moscow’s claim of a reduction in operations, following what he describes as a “colossal attack”.
His words came as it became known that the city was “under fire” from Russian airstrikes as the bombing continued overnight, according to Viacheslav Chaus, head of Chernihiv’s regional administration.
In an interview with John Berman of CNN, the city’s mayor, Vladyslav Atroshenko, criticized Russia’s claim on Tuesday that it plans to “dramatically reduce” its military attack on Chernihiv and the Ukrainian capital Kiev. “This is further confirmation that Russia always lies,” he told Berman.
Russia made the pledge on Tuesday after a meeting between its representatives and Ukrainians in Turkey. The suggestion seemed to show signs of progress towards a way out of the conflict. But, according to Atroshenko, hostilities have actually increased in Chernihiv since the claim was made.
“They are saying that they reduced the intensity, actually increased the intensity of the attacks. Today we have a colossal attack in the center of Chernihiv. Twenty-five people were injured and are now in hospitals. They’re all civilians. So whenever Russia says something, it needs to be checked carefully,” the mayor said.
In an interview published on Telegram on Wednesday, Chaus said the situation in the region has not changed, despite Russia’s allegations. He said Russian troops carried out attacks in the city of Nizhyn, destroying “civilian infrastructure” as well as “libraries, shopping malls and many residential buildings”, while in Chernihiv there is no “electricity, water, heating and gas.”
“Communications are down without the possibility of restoring them, making access to isolated villages difficult,” he added. There are villages where Russian tanks are stationed. We know that our people are there and the situation is worse, because we cannot get there and bring neither medicine nor food”.
Ukrainian troops are prepared and are fighting Russian troops in the Chernihiv region, he added.
Source: CNN Brasil
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