Russia captures a small Ukrainian town with a naval base and a population of 100,000: Tanks enter and armed men take over municipal buildings
- Russian forces entered and took control of the city of Berdyansk
- The southern Ukrainian city has a small naval base on the Sea of Azov
- On Sunday, the acting mayor of the city, Alexander Svidlo, posted a message to the city’s residents on his Facebook page.
- He explained how the employees were asked to continue working, but decided to leave the mayor’s office instead of working under “armed men”.
Russian forces are said to have taken over a small Ukrainian town in the south on Sunday night.
Berdyansk, is a port city with a naval base on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov, in the southeastern part of Ukraine is home to 100,000 people.
It is located near the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed by Ukraine in 2014 and launched one of several invading forces.
This was confirmed by the acting mayor of the city Alexander Svidlo Facebook that Russian forces entered the city and took control.
A video was taken showing Russian tanks moving towards the city of Berdyansk
On Sunday, the city’s acting mayor, Alexander Svidlo, posted on his Facebook page a message to the city’s residents saying that “armed men” had entered municipal buildings.
Incumbent Mayor Alexander Svidlo confirmed on Facebook that Russian forces had entered the city and taken control.
Soldiers and military vehicles could be seen on the streets of Berdyansk on Sunday night
“A few hours ago, you and I witnessed how heavy military equipment and armed soldiers entered the city and began to advance in our hometown. As soon as I learned about this, I tried to inform all the inhabitants of the city so that you could hide in shelters.
“Some time ago, armed soldiers entered the building of the executive committee and introduced themselves as soldiers from the Russian army, informing us that all administrative buildings are under their control and that they are taking control of the building of the executive committee,” Svidlo wrote in an online publication.
He explained how the employees were asked to continue working, but decided to leave the mayor’s office.
The video was shot by residents living in the nearby building, who can get good visibility for the soldiers
Russian military vehicles could be seen on the streets of the port city of Ukraine
“Under the control of armed people, I consider this proposal unacceptable, so we, like all members of the operational headquarters, left the building of the executive committee,” Svidlo explained.
“Today Berdyansk was on the line of fire. I don’t know what tomorrow will be like, but I think tonight will be very, very difficult, “he added.
Earlier on Sunday, Russia’s state news agency reported that Russian troops had also “completely blocked” the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and captured the cities of Henichesk and an airport near Kherson.
According to reporters, Russian troops have taken over the Ukrainian city of Berdyansk
Soldiers are said to be patrolling the streets of a small southern Ukrainian town.
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