Ukrainian defenders in Sever Donetsk, the embattled eastern city under continuous Russian bombardment, are holding their positions despite relentless shelling, and troops are “doing their utmost to defend the city,” its mayor said Tuesday. The situation remains “difficult,” and “the fighting is not fading,” Oleksandr Stryuk said. 

He issued the update a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has “every chance” of winning the battle for Sever Donetsk. Zelensky warned, however, that Moscow is preparing to seize Zaporizhzhia, a major southeastern city that would give Russian troops better access to the center of Ukraine.

The West once again condemned Russia for blockading Ukrainian ports. European Council President Charles Michel told the United Nations on Monday that the Kremlin is to blame for creating a global food crisis and weaponizing Ukraine’s grain exports. His remarks prompted Russia’s ambassador to walk out of the meeting.

Here’s what else to know

• Russian authorities have placed the occupied southern port city of Mariupol under quarantine over concerns about disease outbreaks, a Ukrainian official in exile said.
• The Kremlin announced more travel bans targeting notable Americans, including several top airline executives and Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen. The measure is largely symbolic.
• Zelensky said Monday that peace talks with Russia were at “level zero,” the Associated Press reported.
• The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel.