"Azov": Mariupol defenders believe in their fellow soldiers and keep on fighting

IRYNA BALACHUK - THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2022, 21:24

Defenders of Mariupol, despite the losses, are continuing to defend the city and expect the siege to be broken, because they have faith in their fellow soldiers, their commanders and the fact that Mariupol is Ukraine.

Source: Sviatoslav Palamar, Deputy Commander of the "Azov" Regiment, in a video address from Mariupol

According to Palamar: "With each day of fighting, the defenders of the city are becoming fewer, but they are biting into the concrete, digging into the ground,… rising again and again and they are going to destroy the invader.

We feel the support of the Ukrainian people, we are sure that we will not be betrayed, that they are waiting for us. We do not stop fighting.

At the same time, we are sorry to hear the assumption that breaking the siege of Mariupol is impossible, that we have received reinforcements at a time when there are fewer of us left. We are sick and tired of hearing analysts covering themselves with nice words and pouring soothing remarks into the ears of Ukrainians. It is hard for us to look at the statistics of civilian casualties in Ukraine, where there is no word about Mariupol." 

Details: Palamar noted that behind the fantastic courage of the city's defenders there is "faith in our fellow soldiers and commanders, faith in a better future for our country and faith in Ukrainian Mariupol." 

According to "Azov", fierce battles for Ukraine and Mariupol against the overwhelming forces of the invader have lasted almost 1,200 hours, and the defenders of Mariupol continue to do "incredible things that go beyond what is possible". 

Palamar noted that during this time they had destroyed 46 tanks and knocked out 27 more; shot up and destroyed 69 infantry fighting vehicles and 30 armoured personnel carriers, as well as "Typhoons", "Lynx", "Tigers", trucks and vehicles belonging to the aggressor, and Russian UAVs, boats and an aircraft were destroyed. More than 2,000 of the aggressors’ infantry had been wounded and killed.

According to him, this means that every 3 hours invaders’ equipment is knocked out, and every hour up to 2 occupiers are killed.

Palamar emphasised that all this is happening under "constant fire from tanks, artillery, air strikes, etc., in total encirclement and without proper support". 

"Despite all the obstacles that have been in our way for all 8 years since the establishment of our unit - a ban on training with NATO instructors, a ban on arms supplies, these are legends about fascists - we are still standing and we will fight on, because Mariupol is Ukraine," the deputy commander of the "Azov" regiment summed up.

Previously: "Azov" Regiment believes it is possible to break the siege of Mariupol. 

Background: 

• The Azov Special Forces Regiment is one of the units defending Mariupol.
• Mariupol has been blockaded since 1 March by Russian troops, who have created a humanitarian catastrophe in the city and are committing genocide. So far, it has not been possible to break the siege of Mariupol, and it is difficult to provide assistance to the fighters.
• On 11 April, the 36th Independent Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces which is involved in defending Mariupol, said that the last battle could take place on 11 April, as they were running out of ammunition and the Ukrainian military command had not been in contact with the fighters.

• The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi said that the command was in touch with the Defence Forces in Mariupol, and the details of the defence operation should not be the subject of public discussion.

• On 11 April, the Russians dropped an unknown poisonous substance on Mariupol. As Andrii Biletsky, leader of the "National Corps" party said, the Russian aggressors used chemical weapons over the "Azovstal" plant, which was being held by Ukrainian defenders from the "Azov" Regiment.
• On 12 April, Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Armed Forces, said that the President and leadership of the Armed Forces were looking for an opportunity to help Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol, but could not voice their plans publiсly.
• On 13 April, the leaders of "Azov" and the 36th Independent Marine Brigade recorded a joint video from Russian-blockaded Mariupol and confirmed that they had managed to unite to defend the city.