Mariupol Mayor of Ukraine: "In the Hands of Occupying Forces... Must Evacuate Quickly"

Strategic Stronghold Mariupol, Virtually Fallen
5,000 Civilians Dead... Escape Routes Blocked

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Vadym Boychenko, the mayor of Mariupol, a strategic city in southern Ukraine that has been the focus of Russian offensives, revealed that Mariupol is effectively fallen. It is reported that more than 5,000 civilians have died in Mariupol alone, and with Russian forces blocking escape routes and cutting off water and electricity, the remaining citizens are said to be in great danger.

On the 28th (local time), Mayor Vadym Boychenko stated in an interview with CNN, "Not everything is under our control, and unfortunately, most of the city is in the hands of occupying forces," adding, "There are currently 160,000 residents living in a city where drinking water, electricity, and heating have all been cut off, making life impossible. It is truly frightening." So far, it is estimated that more than 5,000 civilians have died in Mariupol alone.

Mayor Boychenko emphasized, "The civilians remaining in Mariupol must be evacuated immediately and completely," and "The most important mission right now is to save lives." However, with Russian forces controlling the escape routes, 26 buses carrying refugees are currently waiting but have not yet received permission to move.

Ukrainian military authorities have not yet acknowledged the fall of Mariupol. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated, "Our soldiers are building a circular defense line within Mariupol city," and emphasized, "We will defend Mariupol to the end." However, many parts of the city center have already fallen, and it is presumed that Russian forces have occupied all major facilities.

Mariupol is located between the Donbas region, occupied by pro-Russian separatist forces, and the Crimean Peninsula. Since the outbreak of the war, Russian forces have launched intensive offensives on Mariupol. According to the Ukrainian government's estimates, over 90% of Mariupol's housing has been damaged, with 60% directly hit and 40% destroyed.

The population, which was about 400,000 before the war, has now decreased to approximately 160,000. Since early this month, with Russian forces cutting off water, electricity, and heating, the remaining residents are reported to be suffering from extreme cold and starvation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.