Russian troops mount fresh assault on Mariupol steel plant, Ukrainian civilians barely escape

Moscow and its Western foes each signaled Tuesday they’re prepared to ramp up an economic war that has already shaken global markets and sent fuel prices soaring, while Russian troops stormed facilities in Mariupol in a renewed effort to conquer the Ukrainian port city and finally notch a win in an unimpressive military campaign.

Russian missile strikes were also reported far from the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine. Officials in the western city of Lviv said at least four Russian missiles hit sites around the city Tuesday evening.

The twin developments across Europe on Tuesday underscored both the growing economic fallout of Russia‘s war in Ukraine and the rising human cost, as international aid workers raced to evacuate more than 100 civilians from a Mariupol steel plant that has served as a refuge from the Russian assault. The frantic rescue came as Russian forces attacked the facility after weeks of failed attempts to force Ukrainian troops to surrender.