• Russian forces asked defenders in Mariupol to surrender
• Russia's attacks on Kyiv have stalled, says UK Defense Ministry
Ukraine denied laying down arms in the port city of Mariupol on Monday after the Russian forces asked defenders to surrender.
Russia's military asked Ukrainians to surrender in Mariupol before dawn, ensuring they would be allowed to leave through safe corridors. Thousands of civilians have taken shelter in the besieged southeastern city of Mariupol.
"Ukraine rejects Russia's demand to surrender Mariupol," the Ukrainian government said on Twitter.
WSJ reported that Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said early Monday that giving up the city was not an option and also demanded Russia gives civilians a safe corridor.
"There can be no question of any surrender, laying down of arms" in the city, Vereshchuk responded. "We have already informed the Russian side about this."
Ukrainian officials said Russian forces bombed an art school in Mariupol where an estimated 400 people were taking shelter on Sunday morning.
The number of people who survived the attack is unclear.
The attack on the art school resembles the attack on a theater in Mariupol four days ago where around 1300 people were taking shelter.
Russia's attacks stalled in Kyiv
According to a UK Defense Ministry's latest intelligence update on Monday, Russia's attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv from the north-east have stalled.
"Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv," the ministry said, adding that the city "remains Russia's primary military objective" despite a continued lack of progress.
"Forces advancing from the direction of Hostomel to the north-west have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance."
(With inputs from Reuters)
Picture Credits: Reuters