According to an independent report, Ukrainian forces in Mariupol have been forced to surrender to Russian soldiers as they have run out of ammunition and have been fighting without adequate food and water for more than a month.
Among those soldiers who surrendered after weeks of defending Mariupol is a Briton who volunteered to fight Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
PBS correspondent Simon Ostrovsky posted a picture of the British volunteer and confirmed that he had surrendered to Russian troops, according to a former squad member.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as he attends a news conference with Austrian Chancellor in Kyiv April 9, 2022. Ronaldo Scheimidt/Getty Images
“Aiden Aslin (right), a Briton who fought with the Ukrainian Navy in defense of Mariupol and posted about the war on the @cossackgundi Instagram account,” Ostrovosky tweeted alongside a picture of Aslin.
Aiden Aslin (right), a Briton who fought with the Marines of Ukraine in defense of Mariupol and discusses the war on the @cossackgundi The Instagram account (which appears to have been deleted) surrendered to Russian troops, a former member of his squad just told me. pic.twitter.com/pFbdDahvzz
— Simon Ostrovsky (@SimonOstrovsky) April 12, 2022
“[He] surrendered to Russian troops, a former member of his squad just told me.”
International of the Independent Correspondent Bel Trew also took to Twitter to highlight Aslin’s efforts and retweeted two posts quoting Aslin about Ukraine’s struggle in the city.
“It’s been 48 days, we tried our best to defend Mariupol, but we have no choice but to surrender to Russian forces,” Aslin said in a message published via a Contact on Twitter.
We got word from Johnny. “It’s been 48 days, we’ve tried our best to defend Mariupol, but we have no choice but to surrender to Russian forces. We have no food and no ammunition. It was a pleasure for everyone, I hope this war ends soon.”
— COSSACKGUNDI (@cossackgundi) April 12, 2022
“We have no food and no ammunition. It was a pleasure for everyone, I hope this war ends soon.”
A Facebook post by the 36th Naval Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Monday made a similar statement about the dire situation in Mariupol.
“From the beginning of the exit, we defended Mariupol for 47 days. We were bombed from airplanes, we were fired at by artillery, tanks and other fire material. We kept the defense worthy by doing the impossible. But every resource has a potential to run out,” read the post (via Google Translate).
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“More than a month without refilling ammunition, without food, without water, the Marines fought almost a varnish from the puddle and died in packs.
“The infantry was killed and the gunfire is now being led by anti-aircraft gunners, radio operators, drivers and even an orchestra. die but fight Gradually we are coming to an end,” reads the appeal, which urges Ukrainians to remember their bravery. “
The post concluded with the words: “Dear Ukrainians. I don’t know what’s next, but I would really ask you to remember the Marines with a kind word and no matter how they develop, don’t badmouth the Marines, anything possible or impossible.”
Newsweek could not verify the validity of the post.
An adviser to Mariupol Mayor Petro Andryushhenko dismissed the claims of the Facebook posts.
Taking to social media, Andryushchenko said the page was hacked and the post was fake.
Deputy Mayor Serhiy Orlov also told the BBC that “fighting continues around Mariupol” and said the information that came out was fake.
“The information about the Marines is fake. I don’t comment on fakes,” he said.
“The Russians temporarily occupied part of the city. Ukrainian soldiers continue to defend the central and southern parts of the city, as well as industrial areas and so on.”
Newsweek has reached out to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry for comment.