Igor Konashenkov: Latest News

An aerial view taken on April 12, 2022, shows the city of Mariupol, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine. (Credit: ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty Images) POKROVSK, Ukraine - Russia claimed to have captured Mariupol on Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, after a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin, with over 20,000 civilians feared dead.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin the "complete liberation" of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol — the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance — and the city as a whole, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.There was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine.Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying a total of 2,439 Ukrainian fighters who had been holed up at the steelworks had surrendered since Monday, including over 500 on Friday.As they surrendered, the troops were taken prisoner by the Russians, and at least some were taken to a former penal colony.

Ukraine’s general prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the deaths of 10 people who were allegedly shot by Russian forces while waiting in a line for bread in the northern city of Chernihiv.Graphic photos and video showed what appeared to be lifeless bodies lying in the street. The bodies themselves have been blurred by the prosecutor’s office and media outlets, including Global News.The office said the civilians were shot around 10 a.m.