Last fighters defend Mariupol as Russia says troops surrender

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Last fighters defend Mariupol as Russia says troops surrender


If Mariupol falls, what will become of those defending it?

As we've been reporting, Russia claims more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered in the key southern port city of Mariupol. This remains unconfirmed and Ukraine claims some marines have actually broken through to fight alongside the Azov battalion - an ultra-nationalist militia now part of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Azov fighters and the marines have managed to defend pockets of the besieged city over the past few weeks despite dwindling resources and a fierce Russian onslaught.

If marines were surrendering en masse it would not be surprising, says Dr Aglaya Snetkov, lecturer in International Politics at University College London.

"Their supplies have been degrading, they've run out of food, ammunition and water - Ukrainian soldiers have posted online that their only option is either surrender or death but Kyiv authorities shut that claim down" she said.

But if thousands of Azov fighters are similarly forced to surrender, they would face a "horror show" at the hands of Russian soldiers, she added.

"Many will be killed and many will be made to go in front of Russian TV cameras to recount what they’ve done.

"It will effectively be the end of the Azov battalion which is a major part of the Russian narrative as to why they’re engaged in what they’re doing in Ukraine....to fight the 'Nazis'."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-61075759
Gaining full control of Mariupol would be a major strategic gain for Russian forces. It would allow them to redeploy thousands of troops further east to focus on the new offensive planned there.

Anybody fancy being an Azov in Mariupol ?

 

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More than 1,000 Ukraine marines have surrendered in Mariupol, says Russia

In one of the most critical battles of the war, Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday 1,026 soldiers from Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had “voluntarily laid down their arms” near the city’s Ilyich iron and steelworks.

The Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in the battle, urged the last Ukrainians holed up in Azovstal to surrender. The 26th Marine Brigade had said on Monday it was preparing for a final battle in Mariupol.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ines-have-surrendered-in-mariupol-says-russia