The Ukrainian soldiers will not surrender to Russiasaid Odessa MP Oleksi Godarenko.
“I spoke to them yesterday and I know they will fight to the end,” he said.
It is noted that yesterday Moscow gave ultimatum to the remaining Ukrainian forces who strongly resist for the defense of Mariupol to surrender their weapons in order to save their lives.
The defenders of the city – which Moscow claims are both Ukrainians and 400 mercenaries from Europe and Canada – have been excluded from the Azovstal steel plant.
«Taking into account the catastrophic situation at the Azovstal metallurgical plant and for purely humanitarian reasons, the Russian armed forces offer the fighters of the nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries the opportunity to abandon hostilities and lay down their arms from 06:00, of 17 April 2022“, States the announcement of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
However, the Ukrainians have not given any sign that they intend to accept the offer.
In this context, according to the Ukrainian staff, Russian Marine brigades “preparing for a paratrooper operation»In Mariupol, while attacks took place in the area of ​​the port.
The international media report that after continuous bombing of Mariupol for a period of six weeks, there are indications that Russia is close to complete occupation of the strategic port of the Azov Sea.
In fact, commenting on the situation in Mariupol, he spoke of “a real genocide»And estimated that about 100,000 civilians were in the city.
According to him, it is estimated that “More than 20,000 people” have been killed in the besieged port city.
For his part, o Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the situation in Mariupol is “inhumanAnd called the allies to provide heavy weapons to save the city from Russian forces.
He clarified that the destruction of Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol will end peace talks to end the warmy.
Images from the area provided by the Associated Press is indicative of the barbarity displayed by the Russians in order to occupy the city.
Another photo shows piles of civilians on the ground near the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant.
In the same area, burned cars and facilities reflect the magnitude of the disaster.
Why Mariupol is so important to Putin
But why is Mariupol so important to Russia’s plans? BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner analyzes the reasons:
1. Securing a land corridor between Crimea and Donbass
Geographically, Mariupol occupies only a small area on the map, but stands an obstacle to Russian forces from the Crimean peninsula. The occupation of the city will allow Russia to build a land bridge from Russia to Crimeaa major strategic and military success.
2. Strangulation of the Ukrainian economy
Mariupol is the largest port in the Sea of ​​Azov and hosts an important iron and steel factory. It was also a major export hub for Ukraine’s steel, coal and corn. Her loss would be one significant blow to what is left of the Ukrainian economy.
3. Opportunity for propaganda
Mariupol hosts one Ukrainian militia unit called the Azov Brigade, which includes far-right extremists, historically including neo-Nazis. Although they are only a fraction of Ukraine’s fighting forces, this would be a useful propaganda tool for Moscow. If Russia manages to captures several fighters of the Azov Brigade alivemay parade in Russian state-controlled media to discredit the Ukrainian government.
4. Significant morale boost
President Vladimir Putin considers the shores of the Black Sea in Ukraine to belong to something called Novorossiya (New Russia) – Russian territories dating back to the 18th century empire.
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