Chris Lange, FISM News
Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that his attack on Ukraine was “noble,” and that he will “rhythmically and calmly” continue his assault on Ukraine after peace talks have come to a grinding halt.
In his first public comments in more than a week, Putin insisted Tuesday that Moscow “had no other choice” but to continue Russia’s brutal offensive in Ukraine, claiming that the invasion was necessary to “ensure Russia’s own security” and protect Russian-speaking people in the eastern portion of the country.
Putin also stated that the war is going as planned, despite heavy losses and a major withdrawal, and vowed that the bloody campaign will “continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.”
Putin defends Russia's 'noble aims of Ukraine invasion' pic.twitter.com/20T3dOx6JW
— Wittgenstein (@backtolife_2022) April 13, 2022
Russian forces continue to prepare for a major offensive in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region after failing to overtake the capital city of Kyiv. Moscow had hoped to seize control Kyiv within days of its Feb. 24 invasion and install a Russian-friendly government.
Military strategists say that Moscow is banking on local support in the east and a terrain ideally suited for its larger, well-armed military to deliver a major victory following weeks of significant setbacks. Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting in the region since 2014. Putin recognized the separatists’ claims of independence ahead of the invasion.
Ukrainian marines in Mariupol surrender to Russia, Kremlin says
Russia’s defense ministry said Wednesday that over 1,000 Ukrainian marines have surrendered in the port of Mariupol in Donbas, as reported by Reuters. If the report is true, Moscow could conceivably accomplish its chief objective of creating a land corridor between Russian-held areas in the east and west.
Ukraine’s general staff confirmed Wednesday that Russian forces have continued attacks on Azovstal, Mariupol’s industrial district where the marines have been holed up for days, but Ukraine’s defense ministry spokesman said he has received no information of any surrender by Ukrainian troops.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed Tuesday that Mariupol would provide the Russians “unfettered and unhindered land access between the Donbas and Crimea.”
Moscow claims the region is Russian, but Kirby said the area “also has great significance to the Ukrainian people,” adding that Mariupol “is a key to Ukraine’s economic life.”
“It is their city, and it’s part of their country, and they haven’t given up on it. And we’re not giving up on them, either,” Kirby said.
Russia has been unable to bring Mariupol under its control despite weeks of relentless attacks, many of which heavily targeted civilians. Ukraine’s Azov Regiment, which has been defending a steel mill in Azovstal, accused Russia of unleashing chemical weapons in a drone attack Tuesday, though the claim has not been independently verified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, “The world must react now.”
A Russia-allied separatist official on Monday appeared to push for the use of chemical weapons, telling Russian state TV that separatist forces could seize the plant by first blocking all the exits. “And then we’ll use chemical troops to smoke them out of there.” The official, Eduard Basurin, however, denies that separatist forces used chemical weapons in Mariupol.
The Pentagon said it could not confirm the drone report but reiterated U.S. concerns about Russia using chemical agents, which would be considered an egregious breach of international law. Officials in the U.K., meanwhile, have issued warnings that Russia could resort to using phosphorus bombs, which are banned in civilian areas.
Mariupol’s mayor said this week that 10,000 civilians have been killed in Moscow’s near-seven-week siege on the city, though he expects the number is closer to 20,000. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said Russia is massing thousands of troops in the area in preparation for a new assault.
Biden calls Moscow’s actions ‘genocide’ for first time
President Joe Biden referred to Russia’s invasion as “genocide” Tuesday. He and administration officials carefully avoided using the term following the emergence of shocking evidence revealing mass atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha last week sparked global outrage.
Biden made the remark in Iowa where he had been discussing soaring gas prices, which he continued to attribute to Putin’s actions.
The President doubled down on his comments while boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, telling reporters that lawyers would determine whether Russia’s actions meet the international definition of genocide, “but it sure seems that way to me.”
“Yes, I called it genocide — it’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian,” he added.
President Joe Biden was asked by a reporter why he used the term "genocide" during his speech in Iowa to which he responded, "It has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian."https://t.co/Xi6aqgtHMl pic.twitter.com/RU2fmigv4o
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) April 13, 2022
US Preparing to send more military aid to Ukraine, says Pentagon spox
In Washington, a senior U.S. defense official on Tuesday said the Biden administration is preparing another package of military aid for Ukraine to be announced in the coming days, possibly totaling $750 million. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the delivery of $800 million in military assistance approved by Biden last month is due to be completed this week.
Zelenskyy said Tuesday, however, that his forces still are not getting all that they need from supporting allies to “end the war sooner” as Ukraine braces for a major eastward campaign from Russia.