Thousands of resident illegally taken across border, says Mariupol council, as reports emerge its art school has been bombed while 400 were sheltering inside
Highlights
- Mariupol authorities say Russian forces have deported several thousand residents to Russia.
- Reports emerge that Russian forces bombed an art school where 400 people were taking shelter.
- The claims have not been independently verified, but the council’s statement is one of several reports about residents being taken to Russia, where authorities have referred to “refugees” arriving from the strategic port.
- China has responded angrily to mounting western pressure to condemn the invasion, saying it stands on the right side of history over the crisis and is in line with the stances of most countries.
- It has refused to condemn Russia’s action in Ukraine or call it an invasion, but has expressed concern about the crisis.