Bloody battles at Azovstal last for a second day - Azov Regiment’s appeal

Denys Karlovskyy - Wednesday, 4 May 2022, 22:57

In their address, fighters of the Azov Regiment stated that Ukrainian defenders had been fighting hard battles for the second day in a row against Russian troops who had broken into the Azovstal steelworks.

Source: Denys Prokopenko, Azov Regiment Commander, in an address

Quote: "It is the second day since the adversary broke into the premises of the plant. There is a  heavy, bloody battle going on."

"I am proud of my soldiers who are making superhuman efforts to contain the enemy's onslaught. I thank the whole world for the tremendous support of the Mariupol garrison. Our soldiers deserve it!"

"The situation is extremely difficult! However, we continue to fulfil the order in spite of everything – we hold the line."

Details: Denys Prokopenko stated that Mariupol defenders have been defending the city for 70 days. They have been encircled by Russian forces gathered on the premises of the Azovstal steelworks since April 25, and are conducting a circular defence operation.

The Russian forces managed to break into and storm the plant where the Ukrainian defenders have been stationed.

Background: 

On the afternoon of 4 May, friends and relatives of the Mariupol garrison gathered for a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kyiv. They called on the authorities and the world to join forces to save the defenders of Mariupol from the siege.

Head of the Servant of the People faction Davyd Arakhamiia confirmed that the positions of Ukrainian defenders at the Azovstal steelworks had been stormed for the second day in a row. According to him, Russian troops had already entered the steel works.

Ukrainska Pravda reported earlier that Russian troops had been storming the Azovstal plant in the besieged city of Mariupol for two days. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who had not yet been evacuated remain in the plant’s bunkers.

In an evening address on 3 May, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukrainian authorities would be able to save the rest of the civilians and the military personnel from the besieged Azovstal steelworks.

Azovstal General Director, Enver Tskitishvili, said the Soviet-era bomb shelters could withstand a direct hit by a nuclear warhead.