Mayor of Southern Ukrainian City: "Russian Military Has Seized the City"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Oleksandr Svyidro, acting mayor of Berdyansk, a city on the southern coast of Ukraine, announced that Russian forces have entered and taken control of the town.

CNN reported that Acting Mayor Svyidro wrote on his social media (SNS), "A few hours ago, I witnessed how heavy machinery and armed soldiers entered the city and began advancing across our hometown," according to the report.

Berdyansk, which has a small naval base, is a city with a population of about 100,000.

Acting Mayor Svyidro explained, "As soon as I heard the news, I tried to evacuate all the residents of the city to shelters," adding, "Armed soldiers entered the executive committee building, introduced themselves as Russian troops, and informed us that all administrative buildings are under their control and that they have taken over the executive committee building."

He continued, "We are under the control of armed people," and said, "Since I thought we could not accept that proposal, I, along with all members of the operations headquarters, left the executive committee building." He also added, "Today, Berdyansk is in crisis," and "I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but tonight will be very, very difficult."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.