Russia ramps up attacks on Ukrainian cities as war enters 12th day

Russia’s attacks — coming by air, land and sea — have forced more than 1.5 million refugees to flee Ukraine.

The death toll from the conflict remained unclear Monday. The United Nations had confirmed a few hundred casualties, but warned the actual tally was likely much higher.

About eight civilians, including a family, were killed by Russian shelling Sunday in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin, according to Mayor Oleksander Markyshin.

Moscow’s continued assault comes as a third round of talks with Ukrainian leaders is planned for Monday.

Many Ukrainians have heeded President Volodymr Zelensky’s call to fight the Russian intruders — who were met with heavy resistance, especially north of Kyiv.

“You should take to the streets! You should fight!” he said Saturday on Ukrainian television. “It is necessary to go out and drive this evil out of our cities, from our land.”

Some 20,000 foreign volunteers have also heeded Zelensky’s appeal for assistance and signed up to fight in Ukraine.

Russian forces have made significant gains in southern Ukraine and along the coast, though many of its efforts have stalled, including a military convoy to Kyiv’s north that has been almost motionless for days.

In the southern port city of Mariupol, food, water, medicine and other supplies were running dangerously short. There have already been two failed attempts to evacuate civilians from the city.In another address to his country, Zelensky blasted Russian troops as murderers and derided Western governments for what he called their “silence” on the invasion.

The West has broadly backed Ukraine, offering aid and weapons shipments and slapping Russia with vast sanctions. But no NATO troops have been sent to Ukraine.Congress intends to green-light the Biden administration’s request for $10 billion in aid for Ukraine, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a letter to Democrats released Sunday night.

The speaker said the House is also “currently exploring” legislation that will further isolate Russia on the world stage.

“Our bill would ban the import of Russian oil and energy products into the United States, repeal normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, and take the first step to deny Russia access to the World Trade Organization,” Pelosi said.