Ukrainian defenders and local citizens in Mariupol are in a very hard position. Soldiers faint from hunger. They have to drink water from heating radiators.
This was informed by the commander of the separate squad of special operations of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov” Denis Prokopenko in his interview with Gordon.
“Daily meal ratio is significantly reduced. We take meals once a day. The resources are not infinite. We can hold positions in the city for a long period, that is why we learn to save. As of today, we cannot provide enough water and food to every soldier. Our ammunition is waning as well as our supplies. However, we are trying to save and shoot sharper,” – said the soldier with the nickname Redis.
Major said that soldiers have to drink technical water or water from heating radiators.
“Unfortunately so. Even for those who are heavily injured, we have to boil technical water. This is the real humanitarian disaster, as civilians are in the same position,” – he said.
Prokopenko said, that generators were working “on a prayer” and the outside temperature was feeling like 3 degrees above zero, windy and wet.
According to him, some “Azov” soldiers fight on the mission even heaving a few injuries.
Redis also reported that Russian occupiers 1,5-2 weeks ago had captured their base in Urzuf. However, “Azov” managed to rescue ammunition and supplies.
Commander of “Azov” believes that Mariupol can be deblocked: “this operation is possible”. According to his estimates, there are around 14 000 occupiers in the city.
During the siege of Mariupol more than 5 thnd people have died, 90% of buildings have been destroyed. Ukrainian forces hold the position in the center of the city. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had offered the defenders of Mariupol to leave the city, but they refused. Russians keep constant shooting and do not allow to delivery of humanitarian aid to the city.
The Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk on the morning of March 31 said that the International Committee of the Red Cross notified Ukraine that the Russian Federation had confirmed the readiness to provide access to Mariupol for humanitarian vehicles.