Ukraine’s Zelensky says tens of thousands killed in Mariupol; Austrian leader meets Putin

Baghdad-INA  
Russian forces are preparing for what is expected to be a large and more focused push on expanding control in the east and south of Ukraine. The shift in military strategy comes after a failure to capture the capital city of Kyiv.
President Vladimir Putin has appointed a new general to direct the next phase of the war in Ukraine. The U.S. has cast doubt, however, that a change in battlefield leadership will have much impact on Moscow’s prospects.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer traveled to Moscow on Monday to meet with Putin, shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Nehammer is set to become the first European leader to hold talks with Putin since Russia’s unprovoked onslaught began on Feb. 24.