The Russians continue to destroy Mariupol/Photo by the press service of the Azov regiment
Russian troops have a tight grip on Mariupol and are just wiping it off the face of the earth. Tens of thousands of civilians have already died in the city – their bodies lie in the middle of the street, infrastructure and industry are destroyed.
Serhiy Taruta, ex-chairman of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, current deputy (and temporary fighter of the capital's territorial defense) spoke about what is happening in Mariupol now, why the Russians do not stop bombing it, and what consequences this can lead to.
About the situation in Mariupol and the deportation of Ukrainians to Russia
According to Sergei Taruta, many of his acquaintances and employees remain in the city. In addition, the fighters of the Azov regiment, whom the deputy actively supported back in 2014, actively participate in the defense of the city. Then they were able to liberate the city from Russian invaders.
Sergei Taruta keeps in touch with people in the blocked Mariupol/Photo from the MP's Facebook page
Do you know what the situation is now in Mariupol?
Fighting is underway. They're bombing again. Mortars are on the streets again. Tanks are firing in the vicinity. There are still no evacuation corridors.
In the Eastern region, the occupiers gather people, say that they form humanitarian convoys, and take people to Taganrog. They take away their papers. They made a camp where they keep men separately, everyone else – separately.
So people are separated and held hostage?
Either as hostages, or later they will be exchanged further. Or they will convince them to mobilize into the Russian army. So far, the purpose of these actions is unknown to us. There is no communication with these people yet, because the phones of these people are also taken away.
The deblockade of Mariupol and the mood in Azov
You know what the mood is now from the soldiers of the Azov regiment who defend Mariupol?
They are waiting for reinforcements. They are waiting for release. They are expected to be assisted with weapons. They are ready to fight to the last. Despite the fact that the so-called military elite of Russia, who are several times larger than our military, were sent to Mariupol, they still cannot take the city.
All our military want to live and hear a team that, of course, will not be public. But even if there is no such team, they are all determined to fight to the last.
They are talking louder and louder that the military is ready for the deblockade, but they are waiting for the order…
The decision to deblockade should be taken by the military leadership. On the highest level. I think to find 2-3 thousand people who would be ready to go for it. But they need to be equipped with heavy weapons. Given what is there now, we assume where the enemy has weak points through which you can go through and help those in Mariupol.
Destroying Mariupol is a matter of principle for Russians, I'm sure Taruta/Photo by the press service of the Azov Regiment everything, including industrial potential?
All are destroyed. There is colossal destruction, but factories and industry can always be restored. You can't just restore people. A lot of them died in Mariupol. According to my data, between 30,000 and 40,000 people have already died. Further, if there is no humanitarian aid, people who hide in basements will not survive. There is nothing to live in the city. This is a great tragedy.
I wish there was a ceasefire. For Western countries to put the squeeze on Russia and declare a complete embargo (albeit temporary) by the time of the ceasefire. We need 2-3 days of ceasefire, a few days for a humanitarian corridor to give an opportunity to help those who still remain in the city.
In order to bury all the dead, who are now just lying on the streets. For them to take their 200s. I think they should also be taken away, and not given to the dogs. This is something that needs to be done urgently.
Why do Russians need Mariupol
In your opinion, why do they cling to Mariupol so much? Is this still an attempt to implement the plan to create the so-called “Novorossiya”?
No, I think destroying Mariupol is a matter of principle for them. They realized how many people were killed there. Therefore, now it is better for them to destroy everything so that it is not clear how many people are buried there in the city. To not answer for their crimes. Besides, they can't defeat our military, so they just want to bury them under rubble.
In addition, Mariupol is a symbol for us. He was released in 2014. There they stopped the development of the “Novorossiya” plan. Which is obviously out of the question now. If you approach from the point of view of any interests, you need to leave some potential in Mariupol, and not completely destroy it with houses, infrastructure, factories.
What the Russians are now doing to the city is Satanism and revenge. They won't stop until they completely wipe out the city. Or until ours win and kill everyone.
Taruta stated the need for at least two days of silence in Mariupol/Photo by the press service of the Azov Regiment
In your opinion, do the Russians no longer think about the implementation of the so-called “Novorossia”?
We see the hysteria around Kyiv and the fierce fighting that has been going on around the capital in recent weeks. This means that the plans have not changed. They throw everything they can here. They want to take over all of Ukraine.
We have only one scenario of action: the complete destruction of them here, the liberation of Donbass and the liberation of Crimea. We already have enough forces that we have accumulated since 2014, which are ready to defend the country.
Worth knowing – 300 people could have died in the theater of Mariupol as a result of the bombardment by the occupier: watch the video
