Kyiv denounces 50 bombardments in few hours in Mariupol
Kyiv, April 28 (EFE).- Russia’s army launched more than 50 air strikes on the besieged city of Mariupol, in southern Ukraine with “a large number of phosphorous bombs” the Azov regiment integrated into Ukrainian forces and resisting in the city said Thursday.
About five hundred members of this military group are surrounded, along with 1,000 civilians, in the facilities of the Azovstal steel company, the only area of Mariupol that has not yet been taken by Russia.
The regiment’s Deputy Comdr. Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, called on his Telegram account for authorities to take decisive action to lift the blockade of the city or evacuate residents and defenders.
“(On Wednesday night) there was an enormous number of phosphorus bombs: 50 air strikes, missiles, artillery and everything that a barbarian can use against humanity,” he said in statements to local media.
The Ukrainian military has estimated that during the 64 days of the war, Russia has lost $162 million worth of equipment in Mariupol, and that the occupiers have spent $288 million on ammunition and aircraft, according to the military.
“I call on the political-military leadership to take strong action to lift the blockade or evacuate all those who hope and believe in the Homeland. Today I will say that not only Mariupol is Ukraine, but Ukraine is Mariupol,” Palamar said.
Mariupol, which initially had a population of almost 500,000 inhabitants, has been practically devastated by Russian attacks, whose troops say they have already gained control of the entire city, with the exception of the Azovstal steel plant.
Ukrainian authorities said about 120,000 inhabitants remain in the ruins of the city without water, electricity or basic products, adding that Moscow has blocked attempts to bring humanitarian aid to the area.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said as many as 20,000 civilians have been killed in the city since the start of the Russian invasion. EFE
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