The last remaining Ukrainian troops, who are defending the southeastern port city of Maripol, are reportedly staying in the underground shelters under the giant Azovstal Steel Factory with 1,000 civilians.
“Mostly [civilians] They are women with children and the elderly, ”the city council wrote in a telegram on Monday.
Mariel has been under siege since March 2, and Russian forces have taken full control of it.
The city will be a major strategic prize for connecting the eastern Russian-occupied separatist region with Crimea, which joined Moscow in 2014.
However, the remaining Ukrainian forces have so far been unable to dismantle the “fort” -like metal works.
What was the metalwork like before the invasion?
Azovstal Iron & Steel Works – Founded by the USSR in the 1930s and rebuilt after World War II – is one of the largest metal plants in Europe.
Like the city of Ilich Steel and Iron Man, Azovstel is controlled by Metinvest, billionaire Rhinat Ahmetov, Ukraine’s richest man.
During peacetime, it produces 4 million tons of crude iron, 3.5 million tons of hot iron, and 1.2 million tons of cast iron.
Over a week after the shooting, the plant is located in the eastern part of the city, overlooking the Azov Sea and covering an area of more than 11 square miles[11 sq km]. Groundwater Cave Network.
Why are Ukrainian forces sheltered by steel?
Yan Gagin, a Russian-backed separatist adviser in Donetsk. He told Russian television. The siege of Mariuel took a long time because the Azovstal plant was a suburban town.
He said the caves could withstand bomb attacks and “even nuclear attacks.”
“The Azovtal Factory is a large Russian building with many buildings,” said Oleh Zudanov, a military analyst in Kiev. [the Ukrainian forces]. “
“that’s why [the Russians] I started talking about trying chemical attacks, this is the only way to smoke them.
Ukraine says Russia is investigating “unconfirmed reports” of chemical weapons use in the Marillo. He denied that Russian-backed separatists were using them.
“These are huge states with workshops that cannot be destroyed by air; That is why the Russians are using heavy bombs.
What Ukrainian forces were drilled in the steel industry?
The lack of access to mobile phones and Internet access in Mariel means little information, and Ukraine has tightly controlled details such as military numbers that could undermine its defenses.
Mayor Vadim Boichenko said last week that several Ukrainian factions were fighting in the city, including the 36th Navy Brigade, Interior Ministry troops, border guards and the Azov Battalion, a militia initially formed by right-wing nationalists and later a member of the Ukrainian National Guard.
The annihilation of the Azov Regiment was one of the objectives of the Moscow War, and the division was closely linked to the Azovstal. One of the founders, Andriy Biletskiy, called the industrial complex “Azov Fortress”.
Mr. Belesky told the Ukrainian NV News Agency
According to Ukraine, some members of the 36th Navy Brigade are clashing with Azov troops.
Navy patrols patrolled the Azovmash and Zavod Ilicha factories until last week’s supply of ammunition and ammunition, and last week’s massive attempt to break the Russian blockade.
“The navy has been fighting for more than a month without supplies of ammunition, food and water,” one of the crew wrote on the Brigade’s Facebook page.
“The wounded cover about half the strength of the brigade, but those who are able to walk have returned to work,” he said.
The Russian military says 1,160 naval personnel surrendered last week.
Mr. Boichenko was arrested by the Russians, but others joined the Azov Regiment. He did not give a number.
How long can the Ukrainian forces stay there?
Russia has ordered the Ukrainian army in Marriopol to lay down their weapons at 6:00 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday.
However, the ultimatum was ignored.
