THE Mariupol is most bombed city in Ukraine war and is not considered unfair by Moscow the “key” of war.
Analysis of Frank Gardner for BBC summarizes the four reasons why Russia pounding incessantly Mariupol.
Provides a land corridor between Crimea and Donbass: Mariupol is an obstacle in the way of Russian forces on the Crimean peninsula. They are pushing northeast to unite with their pro-Russian separatist allies in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
The map with the encirclement of Mariupol
Strangulation of the Ukrainian economy: Under normal circumstances, h Mariupol is a major hub for Ukrainian exports of steel, coal and corn to Middle Eastern markets and beyond. If Mariupol “falls” the blow will be big for the Ukrainian economy.
Opportunity for propaganda: Mariupol is home to a Ukrainian militia unit called the Azov Brigade, which includes far-right extremists and neo-Nazis. Although they are a small part of the fighting forces in Ukraine, they are a pretext for Moscow to tell the Russians that the young men it sends to fight in Ukraine are there to rid the country of neo-Nazis.
Significant morale boost: A Russian victory in Mariupol would allow the Kremlin to show the Russians through state-controlled media that Russia is achieving its goals and making progress in Ukraine. But for the Ukrainians, the loss of Mariupol would be a major blow not only militarily and financially, but also for all those men and women who are fighting to defend their homeland.
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