Strategists predict the southern port city will fall to Russia today, April 13, after Ukrainian troops stated earlier this week that “any supplies have the potential to run out.” According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers from the 36th Marine Brigade “voluntarily put down arms and surrendered” after “successful offensives by Russian military forces,” which, if genuine, will be a severe setback for Kyiv.
The marines were in charge of the Azovstal industrial zone, and it is believed that Russian control of this region would soon result in a complete takeover of the city.
According to defence expert Professor Michael Clarke, the collapse of Mariupol is now “down to hours… not days.”
“I’d be astonished if Mariupol isn’t under Russian hands by now,” he told Sky News.
According to Russia, 162 officers surrendered their guns.
This comes after the brigade warned on Monday, April 11, that it was running low on ammunition and had been forced to seize resources from its Russian adversaries.
Marines described how “for more than a month, the Marines battled without renewing ammo, without food, without water, practically a lacquer from the puddle, and perished in packs” in a post on their official Facebook page.
“Without the ability to defend themselves, the opponent progressively forced us to the Azovmash facility, encircled the fire, and is now attempting to destroy us,” they claimed.
Following news of their capitulation, President Zelensky warned that the battle may turn into a “endless massacre” unless further resources are delivered from abroad.
“Without new armament, this conflict will become a perpetual carnage, spreading agony, anguish, and destruction,” he said on Twitter.
“The list will be extended to include Mariupol, Bucha, and Kramatorsk.” Nobody, but Ukraine, will be able to halt Russia with heavy weapons.”
The likely loss of Mariupol is seen as a significant victory for Russian forces, complicating Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
According to Professor Clarke, the region serves as Russia’s “southern anchor for their great thrust.”
“It will take some time, but if they can beat the Ukrainians in Mariupol, they can definitely release half of their forces there, at least 6,000 or maybe 8,000 men, to start pushing north in this massive attack,” he added.
Mariupol has been heavily bombed, according to footage, and the UN is currently investigating “growing information on mass graves that are there.”
“The extent of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian objects strongly suggests that the principles of distinction, proportionality, the rule of feasible precautions, and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks have been violated,” said Matilda Bogner, the body’s Head of Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
According to Petro Andriuschenko, an advisor to Mariupol’s mayor, Russia’s assertions are “impossible.”
The precise image of what is going on in the region — and, perhaps more significantly, who controls it – is still unknown.
