Mariupol attacks deplored

Ukraine’s Catholic bishops have bitterly condemned a new separatist offensive against the eastern city of Mariupol, after weekend rocket attacks left at least 30 civilians dead and many more injured, writes Jonathan Luxmoore.

“These are truly barbaric acts,” the Latin Catholic Bishops’ Conference said. “No political objective can justify the killing of innocent people.”

The statement was issued after Saturday’s attacks on the strategic port, which links the Russian mainland with the occupied Crimea peninsula.

Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe confirmed 30 deaths and at least 102 serious shrapnel injuries in the weekend shelling, adding that the largest craters were caused by Grad and Uragan rockets fired from positions controlled by the rebel Donetsk People’s Republic.

Pope Francis said he had observed the escalation of fighting with “deep unease”.