The name of the town is now known around the world. The siege began February 28, 2022, and although the Russian invaders have tried to wipe it from the face of the earth, the spirit of its people is still strong.
Many of the town's people fled by car or by foot - exhausted but alive. Those who remain live in basements amidst the rubble and fight to defend their homes. These defenders are known as the Azov Regime. These are the stories of Mariupol's people. These are the first hand accounts "about how they lived under shelling, how they survived, how they escaped, how they helped others, what they hoped for and what they believed in," Vladimir said. "Different days, different people, different voices, different languages..."
The air raid sirens blew for half a day. In Mariupol, it regularly bangs from all sides - except for the sea.
The evacuation of residents from the central district of Levoberezhny are under way. The residential buildings of the district had were bombed and fired upon by Russian troops. People spent two days without electricity of heating. The bridge across the Kalmius is no longer safe, forcing the eastern part of the city to be completely cut off. As in many other areas, the windows of the houses along Mira (Peace) Avenue are taped crosswise.
For the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion, The Ukrainian military appeared in the city center. One of the avenues leading to the west, to Berdyansk, was blocked by a mountain of rubble.
Yesterday, Russian units were entrenched in Berdyansk. At night they moved towards Mariupol, but no one knows where they went. The official sources and media are silent. The only message was from Mayor Boychenko of Mariupol. He said Russian tanks were stopped north of the city in the direction of Donetsk.
Elevators in high-rise buildings were turned off yesterday, and public transportation only worked in the morning and at night.
Although the Internet and mobile communication are still working, the Left Bank is having issues with communication.
Prices in supermarkets have risen markedly. People are taking everything they can. Bread and milk are gone and stores are limiting the sale of water. Gasoline is almost impossible to buy so there are fewer cars on the streets.
The city closes and withdraws into itself.
Comments