Russian forces tried to storm the Ukrainiancontrolled Azovstal Steel Plant in the besieged city of Mariupol on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said despite comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week that the complex did not need to be taken over.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces Command wrote on Facebook that the Russians were firing in the Azovstal region and conducting “offensive operations” and airstrikes on civilian infrastructure.
Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine’s 36th Naval Brigade in Mariupol, said in an interview with an opposition lawmaker shown on YouTube on Sunday that Russia was shelling the compound with air and artillery fire.
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1 of 2 Candid picture shows Azovstal steel plant, symbol of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol — Photo: Alexander Ermochenko/REUTERS
Candid picture shows Azovstal steel plant, symbol of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol — Photo: Alexander Ermochenko/REUTERS
Konstantin Ivaschenko, the official who was appointed mayor of Mariupol by Russia but not recognized as such by Ukraine, denied there had been any clashes in the city in comments published by Russia’s TASS news agency on Sunday.
Reuters could not independently verify the Ukrainian or Russian allegations.
2 of 2 April 20, 2022 Photo of the Azovstal factory where Ukrainian soldiers are hiding. — Photo: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
April 20, 2022 Photo of the Azovstal factory where Ukrainian soldiers are hiding. — Photo: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
The Azovstal Steel Plant is the main remaining Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, a city that has been bombed continuously since the Russian invasion began on February 24.
Earlier Sunday, Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Oleksiy Arestovych wrote on Facebook: “Russian troops are trying to wipe out the defenders of Azovstal and more than 1,000 civilians hiding in the factory.”