Ukraine Seeks More Weapons vs New Russian Offensive

Ukraine pleaded for more weapons from the West to help it end the siege of Mariupol and fend off an expected Russian offensive in the east as more reports emerged of rape and brutality against Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces and more than 5,000 war crimes cases were documented, Maria Styarkova and Stephen Coates reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Several countries have sent tanks, armored personnel carriers, and planes to Ukraine, aside from the highly efficient anti-aircraft and anti-armor rockets and missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a televised address late on Monday that Russia could resort to chemical weapons as it amassed troops in the eastern Donbas region for a new assault on the port of Mariupol, where the mayor told the Associated Press (AP) that more than 10,000 civilians have been killed by Russians under a near-seven week siege.

“When it comes on the necessary weapons, we still depend on supplies, on our partners. Unfortunately, we are not getting as much as we need to end this war faster ... In particular, to lift the blockade of Mariupol," he said.

Several countries have sent tanks, armored personnel carriers, and planes to Ukraine, aside from the highly efficient anti-aircraft and anti-armor rockets and missiles. Ukraine has also repaired hundreds of captured Russian tanks, fighting vehicles, and rocket systems.

The first European Union (EU) leader to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person since he launched what he called a "special operation," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, said following talks in Moscow on Monday that an offensive in the east was "being prepared on a massive scale."

After suffering heavy losses and withdrawing forces from the suburbs of Kyiv, Russia has turned its sights toward Donbas, where it demands Ukraine cede control to separatist fighters.

Capturing Mariupol would allow Moscow to attempt to encircle the main Ukrainian force in the east. The departure of Russian forces from the outskirts of Kyiv has brought to light harrowing allegations of war crimes including executions and rape of civilians. Moscow dismisses the allegations as Ukrainian and Western provocations and has also accused Ukrainian forces of sexual violence.

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