Although Trapped in Steel Plant, Mariupol Defense Forces Have Steel Resolve: Refuse to Surrender to Russia
Russian tanks operate in Mariupol, Ukraine. troop element Last Ukrainian defense in Mariupol refuses to surrender despite Russia has announced an ultimatum choose surrender or die. (Source: P Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Author : IKHSAN ABDUL HAKIM | Editor : EDY A. PUTRA
KIEV, KOMPAS.TV – The last elements of the Ukrainian defense forces in Mariupol refuses to surrender even though Russia has announced an ultimatum choose surrender or die.
The remnants of the troops defending Mariupol are known to be besieged in Azovsta steel mill complex. Most of the city area has controlled by Russia.
Mariupol itself has been mercilessly pounded by Russian troops for the last seven weeks. The Russian bombardment caused most of the city buildings in ruins.
Mariupol is a strategic target for Russia, especially for preparing for a major assault on the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. If completely in control of Mariupol, Russia can link up its forces in Donbass front with the Crimean Peninsula to the south.
Russia estimates about 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers and 400 combatants foreigners still survive in Azovstal. This steel mill has a complex advantageous as the last bastion of the Ukrainian troops in Mariupol, stands on 11 square kilometers of land and connected by a network of tunnels.
THOSE WHO SURVIVE WILL BE FILTERED
According to the Mariupol police patrol chief, Mikhail Vershinin, many civilians also took refuge in the steel mill, including children. They are called shelter from Russian bombardment.
As of Monday (4/18/2022), Russia reportedly ultimatum troops defense to surrender until noon. However, the Ukrainian troops, as before, ignore this ultimatum.
The Battle of Mariupol itself is estimated to have killed approx 21,000 people since the start of the invasion. Around 100,000 civilians still trapped in a city without food, clean water and electricity.
Incessant Russian bombardment made Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Mariupol could be categorized as non-existent because the magnitude of the devastation.
