The Russian occupiers threaten to blow up Melitopol's infrastructure if they retreat – the mayor
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO – MONDAY, 25 JULY 2022, 16:35
The occupiers in Melitopol are threatening to blow up the city's infrastructure if the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberate it and the Russian troops have to leave.
Source: Ivan Fedorov, the Mayor of Melitopol, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine
Quote from Fedorov: "It is worth noting one thing that I have heard from more than one person. The occupiers say that if they leave Melitopol, and the fact that they are already implying this is good, they say: ‘If we leave the city, everything is mined, everything will be destroyed.’ And this is definitely not about ensuring the security of our infrastructure."
Details: According to Fedorov, the Russians have now captured the entire infrastructure of the city. "Today they can be in one school, tomorrow they will be in another, and they don't care," said the mayor.
He also said that the occupiers are positioning their military equipment and military facilities in the immediate vicinity of residential high-rise apartment buildings so that the Ukrainian military can’t respond to shelling.
According to Fedorov, the probable liberation of Melitopol is connected with the Kherson front, where positive dynamics are currently being observed.
Fedorov also expressed the opinion that if the Armed Forces of Ukraine free Melitopol at least a week before the start of the heating season (when communal heating systems are turned on at the start of the cold weather – ed.), it will be possible to start it (i.e. turn on the heating – ed.), but if not, "the heating season in Melitopol will not start."
Reference: Since 26 February, Melitopol has been temporarily occupied by Russian troops.
Previously: On 13 July, Fedorov reported that the Russians were strengthening their defences in the occupied Melitopol, preparing for an offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Later, the local mass media wrote that Melitopol collaborators were afraid to be in the Taras Shevchenko Palace of Culture in the city centre and were preparing the building of the city executive committee for themselves.
