Marine commander in Mariupol suggests 2 options for saving the city

Alyona Mazurenko - Wednesday, 20 April 2022, 02:48

The commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, Major Serhii Volynskyi, who is defending Mariupol, has suggested two options for saving the city and its residents.

Source: Serhii Volynskyi on Facebook

Verbatim: "The first [option] is a rapid military operation, which should happen now with all necessary means deployed."

"A sizable and well-equipped group of forces will join us in our defence area in one great effort through a rapid and deep strike."

"I deem air superiority and artillery our key advantage. This is a feasible option, although it is also difficult and risky."

"The second [option] is a political decision. I consider this very realistic, given effective diplomacy."

Details: In particular, he called on diplomats to promote international control over the secure withdrawal of combat garrison and civilians trapped in the war in Mariupol.

Serhii Volynskyi was addressing world leaders, diplomats, civil and religious figures: "There is still a chance to save Mariupol. The lives of thousands of people are now in your hands."

Background: Mariupol City Council stated that Russian aggressors had been attacking "Azovstal" with bombs.

There are at least 1,000 civilians in the underground shelters of the metallurgical plant - mostly women with children and the elderly.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the elimination of Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol would put an end to negotiations with Russia.

The Russian aggressors have demanded that Ukrainians in Mariupol surrender, but Ukrainian soldiers have ignored these demands.

Deputy Commander of the "Azov" Regiment Sviatoslav "Kalyna’ Palamar stated:  "We will fight, we will use every bullet we have left, but we ask our homeland to save civilians, the wounded and take away the bodies."

On March 24, Russian troops established a "screening camp" for civilians trying to flee Mariupol in Dokuchayevsk in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region.

As of April 18, Russian aggressors have been holding at least 27,000 people in a "screening camp"  along the Manhush-Nikolske-Yalta line [near Mariupol].

More Background:

Mariupol has been under siege since March 1, and the Russians are constantly shelling it in an attempt to  take full control of the city.
The defenders of Mariupol have no ammunition or food supply left. Part of the Marine Brigade has been able to break through the Russian encirclement and join the "Azov" Regiment. They continue to defend the city. However some servicemen of the 36th Marine Brigade have been taken prisoner.