Russia Ukraine War day 42|Manhhai|CC BY 2.0
Fresh attempt was underway on Friday to evacuate civilians trapped in a heavily bombed steelworks in Mariupol. The UN brokered evacuations of hundreds who had taken shelter in the plant.
More than 400 hospitals destroyed, damaged
Addressing a medical charity group in a video call, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that since the beginning of the invasion nearly 400 hospitals and other medical facilities in the country had been destroyed or damaged.
“This amounts to a complete lack of medication for cancer patients. It means extreme difficulties or a complete lack of insulin for diabetes. It is impossible to carry out surgery. It even means, quite simply, a lack of antibiotics,” Zelensky added.
Civilians seek refuge
According to the UN, over five million civilians have fled Ukraine to the nearby Western Nations seeking refuge. The UN believes that around 6.5 million Ukrainians are assumed to be displaced within the country.
People stuck inside the country have little to no access to essentials like food and water and lack basic medical needs.
The next move
Ukraine braces for future attacks as officials have warned that Russia might take a full-blown offensive before May 9, Victory Day—the day Moscow commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Germany in World War II.
