Ukrainian forces in Mariupol on Monday said that the upcoming fight against Russia’s military assault might be their “last battle” in the southern port city, citing low supplies of essentials and ammunition.
Members of the Ukrainian Army’s 36th Marine Brigade claimed that they are doing their best to prevent Mariupol from falling into Russian hands, adding that non-military personnel, such as drivers, cooks, radio operators, and even the orchestra, have now taken up arms because a large number of its infantry has died. The brigade stated they have been fighting “without replenishment of ammunition, without food, without water” for the last month.
The Mariupol-based Ukrainian forces further criticised the country’s military command for cutting off communication, saying, “No one wants to talk to us anymore, we are forgotten.”
Day 48 of Ukraine resistance. The situation of Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol is critical, they report lack of reinforcements and weapons. The number of civilian casualties there can be close to 10,000, mayor said. Claims of a chemical attack on Mariupol are still being verified
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) April 12, 2022
In a similar vein, Svyatoslav Palamar, the deputy commander of the controversial neo-Nazi Azov Regiment based out of Mariupol, complained, “Politicians say they are in touch with us, but in reality, no one is picking up the phone for two weeks.”
However, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi affirmed that they are in touch with the forces in Mariupol. In a statement on Monday, Zaluzhnyi clarified that communication between the government and its forces in Mariupol is “stable and constantly maintained,” underscoring that such communication should not be done on public forums.
Palamar released a statement of solidarity later on Monday, expressing faith in the political leadership of Kyiv, and added that the unit would continue its fight in Mariupol.
Horrifying footage from the #Mariupol drama theatre. It was bombed while sheltering thousands of people. The word “Children” had been written in front of the door to warn the #Russian soldiers. But children and other civilians are their targets.#UkraineRussianWar pic.twitter.com/K55QW3Kqak
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) April 12, 2022
Separately, the Azov Regiment also mentioned that some of the service members and civilians in Mariupol were displaying “respiratory failure” due to Russia’s use of a “poisonous substance of unknown origin.”
In fact, Zelensky called out Russia’s use of chemical weapons during an address to South Korea’s assembly. However, multiple media outlets emphasised that these reports could not be confirmed. According to Kyiv Post, no reliable and independent journalists are left in Mariupol anymore.
A spokesperson for the United States (US) Department of Defense said that they are aware of Russia’s possible use of chemical weapons in Mariupol, noting that “these reports, if true, are deeply concerning.” Furthermore, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss revealed that her department is working to verify these reports.
These allegations would echo claims Ukraine made earlier in the war, when it accused Moscow of conducting chemical warfare by using white phosphorous, a controversial substance that can kill civilians, can “burn all the way to the bone,” and “poison organs like kidneys, liver, and heart, and possibly cause multiple organ failures.”
Regardless, Mariupol has been one of the most adversely impacted cities in Ukraine by Russia’s military assault. Zelensky has claimed that more than tens of thousands of people have died in the besieged city, which is set to become the new epicentre of Russian attacks as Moscow shifts its focus to eastern Ukraine. Earlier, the port city boasted a population of about half a million, but Moscow’s invasion has left only 120,000 to 160,000 people in the city.