The delay in conquering the port city of Mariupol has worried Russian army commanders, says the UK Ministry of Defence.
In a bulletin released this Monday (18), British intelligence assesses that strong Ukrainian resistance has tested Russian forces, diverting troops and material to the city, which has hindered Russia’s advance in other regions.
However, the effort to take over Mariupol has “cost dearly” for its resisters, says the UK, due to widespread destruction of infrastructure and high civilian casualties. Ukrainian authorities estimate that there are still around 100,000 residents in the city.
Finally, British intelligence says the attacks on populated areas of Mariupol are similar to Russian actions in Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016. “The acts contradict Russia’s claims that it would not attack cities or threaten the Ukrainian population.”
closed accesses
An aide to the mayor of Mariupol, Ukraine, said Russian forces had announced that the besieged city would be closed to entry and exit on Monday, warning that men remaining in the city would be “filtered”.
Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the mayor, said on Telegram on Sunday that Russian forces had begun issuing passes for movement within the city, posting a photo allegedly showing residents lining up for a ticket.
With information from Olga Voitovych and Nathan Hodge
Source: CNN Brasil
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