Azov Regiment believes it is possible to break the siege of Mariupol

Iryna Balachuk – Thursday, 14 April 2022, 19:39

The Azov Regiment believes that it is possible to break the siege of Mariupol and in accordance with this is expecting decisive actions from the military-political command.

Source: Sviatoslav Palomar, Deputy Commander of the Azov Regiment, in a commentary for Radio Svoboda

According to Palamar: "We have hope. We are fighting with optimism and expecting decisive actions from our military-political command as to the breaking of the city’s siege, and our victory in this war. We believe that this [the breaking of the siege] is possible."

Details: Palamar noted that none of the experts and analysts had thought that the Mariupol defence would hold out this long – but they are holding out.

Palamar underscored that Mariupol’s defenders have enough fighting spirit to defend the city "as long as is necessary."

Background:

• The Azov Regiment is one of the units defending Mariupol.
• Since 1 March, Mariupol has been blockaded by Russian troops who have caused a humanitarian disaster in the city and are perpetrating a genocide of the Ukrainian people. So far, it has not been possible to break the siege or deliver military aid to the Ukrainian soldiers defending Mariupol.
• On 11 April, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, which is also taking part in Mariupol’s defence, said that the final battle for Mariupol might take place that day, as they were running out of ammunition and the Ukrainian command was failing to communicate with the soldiers.
• Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, insisted that the military command were communicating with Mariupol’s defenders and said that the details of the defence operation should not be subject to public debate.
• On the night of 11 April Russian occupying troops dropped a poisonous substance of unknown origin on Mariupol. According to Andriy Biletskyi, leader of the Azov Regiment, the Russian army deployed chemical weapons on the Azovstal plant which was held by the Azov Regiment fighters.
• On 12 April Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that President Zelenskyy and the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were looking for ways to help Ukrainian troops in Mariupol but cannot disclose their plans to the public.
• On 13 April leaders of the Azov Regiment and the 36th Separate Marine Brigade recorded a joint video address from Mariupol and confirmed that they were able to join with each other in their efforts to defend the city.