Russia has demanded the capture of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. But Ukraine says its troops are still fighting. One of the Ukrainian troops still fighting in Mariupol told the BBC that the city now had only one steel factory under Ukrainian control. Much of it was damaged by Russian forces. Civilians are trapped under the collapsed building. Some were killed and some were injured.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sivatoslav Palamar of the Azov Regiment, a controversial branch of the Ukrainian military, said from the Azovostal steel plant that Ukrainian fighters were resisting an attack by Russian forces. “I always say that as long as we are here, Mariupol will be under the control of Ukraine,” he said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt to the attack on the steel plant. Putin said the industrial area should be cordoned off. Russia had earlier called for the surrender of Ukrainian troops.
Russian forces have been trying to take control of the strategically important port city of Mariupol since launching an attack on Ukraine. Most areas of the city have been badly damaged in recent days by massive Russian bombings and fierce fighting between the two sides. Russia is sending additional troops to take control of the town on the shores of the Sea of Azov. The troops will join Russian forces in the Danube region of eastern Ukraine.
Captain Palamar of the Ukrainian military said Russia was attacking the steel plant from warships. They are also dropping bombs to destroy the bunkers.
Captain Palamar said, “Virtually all the buildings in the Azovstal area have been destroyed. They dropped heavy bombs and carried out mass destruction with bunker bombs. We were wounded and killed inside the bunker by Russian forces. Some civilians are trapped under the collapsed building.
The BBC says the Azov Regiment was essentially a far-right neo-Nazi armed group. It was later linked to the Ukrainian National Guard. Fighters from the force are fighting alongside Ukrainian navy, border guards and police officers in Mariupol as Ukraine’s latest resistance fighter. However, when asked how many more Ukrainian fighters are now in Mariupol, Captain Palmer said, “Enough to repel the attack.” He said ordinary people have taken a stand at a different distance from the fighters. There are 80 to 100 people in one place in the ground floor of the building. But it is not yet clear how many civilians there are. Meanwhile, some buildings have also collapsed.
The warriors are unable to reach those people due to the incessant shelling of the Russian forces. The entrance to some bunkers has been closed with large concrete slabs. Only heavy equipment is allowed to move.
“Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing. We know there are young babies, even three-month-olds. ‘ Fighters have called for the safe rescue of civilians from the steel plant.
“These people have already gone through a lot more, including war crimes,” Palamar said. They do not trust the Russians. They are terrified now. ‘ He added that these people are afraid of being tortured and killed by the Russian army. They are also afraid of being sent to Russia through the so-called correctional camp.
Elderly people trapped in steel factories need food. In addition, there are about 500 Ukrainian soldiers who were seriously injured. In this situation, they are not getting the care they need. In addition, many need significant surgery.
“After 52 days of blockade and heavy fighting, we have run out of medicine and medical equipment,” said Captain Palamar. In addition, we need to bury the bodies of our fighters. But we can’t do that. But they were supposed to be buried with dignity on Ukrainian soil. He added that Ukrainian resistance fighters wanted to be rescued safely if possible. But there is no question of surrender.
