Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov announced that Russian troops took control of the port city of Berdyansk in Ukraine’s Zaporozhye Oblast. Berdyansk Mayor Alexander Svidlo also announced on his Facebook account that the city is currently under Russian control. Svidlo stated that Russian troops entered the city at around 15.50 local time on Sunday and reached the city center a short time later. “Soldiers entered the town hall at 8 pm. The Russians took control of all public buildings,” Svidlo said.
Berdyansk, on the Black Sea coast, is home to about 100,000 Ukrainians.