A new message has been sent out from the besieged steel factory in Mariupol. “We have dead and wounded in our bunkers, but as long as we are here Mariupol is ours,” said Captain Svyatoslav Palamar of the Azov battalion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered yesterday not to storm the Azovstal steel plant. Instead, he chooses to hermetically seal the 10 km² site, “so that no fly can pass”. By starving the approximately 1,000 civilians and 2,000 soldiers, he hopes to prevent further Russian losses.
According to Putin, Mariupol is now completely under Russian control, but Palamar thinks otherwise. “I keep saying it: as long as we’re here, Mariupol is ours,” a BBC video said.
“Concrete slabs collapsed”
The immense labyrinth of tunnels and corridors offers some protection, but the last stronghold of resistance remains Hell on Earth. “All the buildings on the site have been nearly destroyed. The enemy drops heavy bombs that even bunkers cannot withstand. We are here with a lot of dead and injured, some civilians are also trapped under the collapsed buildings.”
When asked how many troops are still available for a possible battle, Palamar remains vague. “Enough to fend off attacks,” it sounds. “By the way, we keep civilians and soldiers separate. About 80 to 100 people can take shelter in a cellar. However, we can no longer reach some citizens because concrete slabs have collapsed. Only heavy machines can offer a solution here.”
Children of three months old
The rest will still receive help, as far as possible. But time is running out. Palamar is therefore launching a call. “Let a neutral country or international judicial body ensure the security of our citizens. They have all been through a lot, even real war crimes. Nobody trusts the Russians here, they are afraid of being tortured or deported. Don’t forget: there are also small children here, sometimes as little as three months old.”
Older people urgently need medication. It is estimated that about 500 soldiers were also seriously injured. However, major procedures, such as amputations, cannot be performed. “We want to offer the bodies of our deceased comrades in arms a dignified farewell on Ukrainian soil,” emphasizes Palamar.
A surrender is not in it, even if Russia promised to spare the lives of civilians. “I hope that everyone is well aware of who our discussion partner is. We now know with absolute certainty that guarantees from Russia are worth nothing,” concludes Palamar.
Also read: “Old iron, artillery without ammunition and anti-tank weapons that are used up in half a day”: these are the weapons that Belgium sends to Ukraine (+)
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