<Anchor>



The Russian army is besieging and taking control of southern port cities, which are strategically important places in Ukraine, with civilian casualties.

In particular, concerns from the international community are growing as it is attempting to take control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant.



Correspondent Kim Jung-woo.



<Reporter>



Russian troops occupying Kherson, a major battlefield in southern Ukraine, completely surrounded the port city of Mariupol.



Mariupol is a strategic point connecting the Crimean Peninsula to the Donbas region occupied by pro-Russian separatists.



Mariupol Mayor Vadim Wojchenko said on local television that the Russian military was destroying key facilities, including railroads, around the city to block evacuation routes for civilians.




Another port city, Odessa, is also being bombarded.



[Southern city dweller: We came here after 6 days in another bomb shelter.

It's been ten days since I've been sitting like this.]



Taking control of Kherson and Mariupol and then Odessa would cut off the supply route through the Black Sea to the Ukrainian capital Kiev (Kiev).



Nearby areas, including Kiiwu, are still engulfed in flames.



In particular, Russian airstrikes killed or wounded civilians in Chernivu, a transportation hub to the northeast of Kiiu.




Local rescue authorities said at least 22 people were killed when bombs fell on two schools and a private house.



[Kiiv (Kyiv) resident: I saw a car with refugees being bombarded.

That's why I'm afraid to leave Kiev (Kiev).]



According to Reuters, the Russian military is even trying to seize the nuclear power plant in southeastern Zaporiza.



"Russian forces are trying to break down barricades and infiltrate the nuclear power plant," said Anton Herashchenko, aide to Ukraine's Interior Minister.



The Zapori Nuclear Power Plant is Europe's largest nuclear power plant with 6 out of 15 nuclear reactors operating in Ukraine.



The Russian military also took control of the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was shut down on the 24th of last month.