MARIUPOL, Ukraine — Shelling resounded on the outskirts of a Ukrainian port city Friday as Russian-backed rebels pressed their offensive in the strategically key southeast just hours ahead of talks that are widely hoped to bring a cease-fire.
Associated Press reporters heard heavy shelling on Friday morning north and east of Mariupol. The strategic city of about 500,000 lies along the Sea of Azov, between Russia to the east and the Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula to the west.
The sound of incoming and outgoing shelling from different directions appeared to indicate that rebels have partially surrounded the area and are probing its defences. …read more
Source: canada.com
