Mariupol Before the War…
In a EuroFile@6 Spaces on Twitter, Scott and I spoke with Vadym who explained why Mariupol is important to Ukraine. What follows below is related to Mariupol’s geo-strategic importance but Vadym added another dimension.
He said that Mariupol is more than just a strategic aim for the Russian forces. It is a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and the will to stand against the occupiers and their designs in Ukraine. His sentiments come from his soul and belief that democracy is the only road for Ukraine.
Why is Mariupol’s position so strategically important?
The southern port city of Mariupol has been besieged and bombarded by the Russians for weeks. Why is it so important to the Russians?
Land bridge: Control of Mariupol gives the Russians a land bridge from Russia, through parts of the Donbas region through to Crimea.
Hitting Ukraine's economy: Mariupol has long been a strategically important port on the Sea of Azov. The city is a key export hub for Ukraine's industries and especially for grain. Losing it will have an impact on Ukraine's economy.
Russian propaganda: Among Mariupol's defenders are the Azov Brigade, which Russia has branded as ‘nazis’. The sections that were tied to the far right were separated from the Brigade and formed a political party. However, Russia uses Azov’s past as a pretext to claim they are ridding Ukraine of Nazis.
Free up forces: An end to the battle for the city would free up more of Russia's troops for its push to take control of the remaining parts of the Donbas.
In short: If Russia takes full control of Mariupol it will secure a land corridor between Crimea and Donbas, allowing resources to be redirected to other Russian fronts in Ukraine.
Azovstal defence our top priority - Ukrainian official
The Azovstal metal works has become “priority number one” for Ukraine’s political and military leadership. Yuriy Sak told Radio 4’s Today programme that efforts were focused on defending the vast industrial complex and managing further evacuations.
Azovstal is the last holdout of Ukrainian resistance in the strategically important port city of Mariupol – which Sak noted had become the “heart” of the war.
On Thursday, roughly 500 people were evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks plant amid Russian shelling. There is an estimated 200 civilians still in the plant.
UK Ministry of Defence: Taking the Azovstal plant has come at a high cost to the Russian forces in terms of personnel, equipment and munitions and as Ukrainian resistance continues, Russian losses will frustrate their plans and operations in the Battle of Donbas.
The UK MoD believes that the Russian continued assault is linked to the May 9th celebrations. According to General Budanov, head of Ukrainian intelligence for the MoD, said that the Russians had planned on taking Donbas by April 26.
12:30 CET- A new attempt to evacuate civilians trapped with Ukrainian fighters in the Mariupol steelworks is under way
Fall of Mariupol would be 'devastating' - Ukraine politician
A Ukrainian politician says the fall of Mariupol would be "devastating".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme on May 4, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Integration of Ukraine to the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, said Russia's assault of the Azovstal steelworks from the ground and air "would definitely be very painful, devastating for us. But we are resolute to get all of our territories back."
Klympush-Tsintsadze added that Ukraine is "waiting for a miracle to happen" so that the civilians still trapped in the plant can be rescued.
Thanks for reading…
Mo & Scott