KYIV — The President of Ukraine says “fierce street fighting continues” in a key industrial city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops are in engaged in street fighting with Russian forces in what’s seen as a key battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.
Russia has said it is trying to “liberate” Donbas, which is partly controlled by separatists.
During a briefing with reporters, Zelensky noted Russian troops outnumber Ukrainian soldiers and are “more powerful,” but said his country has “every chance” to fight back. Ukraine said Russian shelling killed two civilians Monday.
The European Union is blaming Russia’s war on Ukraine for causing a global food crisis. In a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, European Council President Charles Michel said, “The Kremlin is using food supplies as a stealth missile against developing countries.”
Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat, cereals, and cooking oil used in the developing world.
In a separate meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia is preventing Ukrainian grain exports from leaving the country and he accused Russian forces of destroying Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure.
