Russia claims key port city, second round of Moscow-Ukraine talks expected, and China says no to sanctions

Russia claimed Wednesday that its forces are fully in control of Kherson, a strategically important port city near the Black Sea. If true, it would be the first major Ukrainian city to fall to Moscow since President Vladimir Putin launched his attack against the neighboring country six days ago.

In a Facebook statement, Russia's defense ministry said its forces had taken Kherson's city center "under full control" and added that "civil infrastructure, life support facilities for population and urban transport operate on a daily basis." He added that the city "does not experience shortages in food and essential goods."

Russia's claim has not been independently verified. Ukrainian officials said that even though the city of 300,000 people located northwest of Crimea was surrounded, the battle for it continued.

"It's hard to call this morning good, but let's try," Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaev said, according to an NBC News translation. Kolykhaev said he was in city hall when the building was shelled by Russian forces but that everyone inside the building was alive. It was a different story outside.
Ukraine by Artem Kniaz is licensed under Unsplash unsplash.com
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