russian occupiers want to demolish Azovstal.
This was reported in the Mariupol City Council.
"Forces for the de-occupation of Mariupol will soon appear in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The russians are preventively destroying an important industrial complex for Ukraine," the city authorities said, citing one of the reasons for the invaders' intentions.
Among others, the russians want to erase any reminder of the heroic deed of the Ukrainian military or are not interested in the restoration and development of Mariupol, which for russia is "only a territory for the Crimean corridor.”
According to the adviser to the Mariupol mayor Petro Andryushchenko, the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine say that they are going to resume "the work of Illich Iron & Steel Works. And demolish Azovstal. In place of which to build a park area."
Mariupol authorities emphasize that Azovstal is a unique full-cycle metallurgical complex that provides 10,000 workplaces, billions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings and taxes, 7,000 tons of high-quality steel, 6 mln tons of cast iron and 4.5 mln tons of rolled metal.
On May 14, the russian military for the first time used incendiary or phosphorus bombs against the defenders of Mariupol.
Azov reported that the invaders dropped air bombs on Ukrainian soldiers, attracted heavy artillery and tanks.