Ukraine is facing a new barrage of attacks from Russian forces. Military officials reported at least four missile strikes in the western city of Lviv, which had become a refuge for those fleeing the war. At least seven people were killed there, though the death toll is expected to rise. According to reports, the large-scale offensive also hit more than 300 military targets overnight, mainly in eastern Ukraine as Ukrainian troops refuse to back down in the battle for the besieged city of Mariupol, vowing to “fight to the end.” Officials from Mariupol say thousands of civilians are now trapped with soldiers inside a large steel plant in the city.
The U.S. is planning to offer temporary protected status to Ukrainians already living in the country as of April 11. Previously the Biden administration offered legal protection to Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. before March 1. The protective status will remain in effect for 18 months. The federal government predicts roughly 60,000 Ukrainians could be eligible. Alain Sanders, professor emeritus of political science at Saint Peter’s University discusses the latest developments.
