Armed formations in Mariupol tried to break out of the encirclement and simulate a chemical attack
Ukrainian armed formations in Mariupol continue to stubbornly resist. But Russian troops and DPR forces are confidently pushing through their defenses and methodically clearing the area. On April 12, an armored column with Ukrainian Marines and Azov militants (the organization is banned in Russia) went for a breakthrough. But as a result of the fleeting battle, the detachment was dispersed, and the equipment was partially destroyed. Realizing the inevitability of defeat, the "Azov" accused the Russian troops of using chemical weapons. The Russian Defense Ministry denied this information. Meanwhile, Ukrainian weapons, firing positions, field uniforms and even documents were found in the ruins of the Mariupol Drama Theater. About how the liberation of Mariupol from Ukrainian militants is going on in the report of the military observer of Izvestia, Alexey Ramm.
The torn front
— It's very restless today, — says my escort from the People's Militia.
It's hard to argue with him. We are standing in the center of Mariupol, next to the drama theater. Even on Sunday, it was relatively quiet here. People walked, cars drove, and only the rumble of rare shots rumbled in the distance.
Now the situation has changed. Artillery and mortar rounds sound like a continuous cannonade, long bursts of small arms can be heard. Judging by the sounds, a heavy battle is going on in the Primorsky district of the city, where a small area of terrain connected the positions of Ukrainian militants at the Azovstal plant and in the port of Mariupol. Although this corridor was under continuous fire of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the NM of the DPR, the enemy used it for maneuvering forces and means.
The remnants of the AFU units, marines and Azov militants put up desperate resistance, actively used artillery to hinder the advance of the Russian troops and the People's militia of the DPR. But it was all in vain. By the end of April 12, they were defeated and completely ousted from the "isthmus", which connects the Primorsky district and the Azovstal plant.
On Monday, April 11, Ukrainian armed formations, which are holding the defense at the Ilyich Metallurgical plant, tried to break out of the city. However, this was not a classic operation to get out of the environment. The idea of the Ukrainian militants was simple.
A DPR NM serviceman on the front line in the Left-bank district of Mariupol
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Ilya Pitalev
— The tank and self-propelled artillery units were the first to go. They painted our tactical signs on them. They did not plan to fight," says an officer of the People's Militia. — We expected that they would pass the first posts, and then dismount and start leaving in small groups, seeping through our positions.
But the fighters of the NM DNR showed vigilance. The enemy was identified and opened fire on him. Immediately behind the armored vehicles were trucks and cars with Ukrainian military. The main blow fell on them. The Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses and were forced to retreat to the Ilyich Plant.
On the morning of February 12, a message appeared in the telegram channel of the Azov formation that Russian troops had used chemical weapons in Mariupol. Allegedly, gas canisters were scattered from drones. A little later, several videos with Azov militants were posted on the same resource, who told how they miraculously survived this "inhuman chemical attack".
We are passing near the Primorsky district. We ask the locals about their well-being. We also ask questions — did they feel strange smells, did they have a severe headache and other symptoms of poisoning? Did they see a can of some chemicals that fell from the sky? Everyone unequivocally says that there was nothing like that and no one has any signs of poisoning.
Theater of Lies
The accusation of the use of chemical weapons is not the first provocation of the Ukrainian side during the operation in Mariupol. Earlier, Kiev has already stated that it was Russia that destroyed the drama theater and killed hundreds of civilians there. But now, when this area has already been liberated by allied forces, it has become clear that the tragedy in the drama theater is the work of Ukrainian militants.
— These are the bodies of civilians. It looks like a woman and a child, — a fighter of the People's Militia of the DPR shows me the burnt remains that lie in the corridor of the drama theater. — Unfortunately, we can't get them out yet. The theater building is destroyed and it is very difficult to approach them. We also need to check everything for the presence of mines and unexploded shells," says my interlocutor.
The Mariupol Drama Theater is located in the very center of the city. Now only miraculously preserved posters remind of his repertoire. The building is completely destroyed and burned out.
Miraculously, only a small part of the hall survived. It was there that, upon careful inspection, Allied units found Ukrainian field uniforms, as well as various official correspondence. Including documents belonging to the Azov headquarters.
The destroyed building of the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Ilya Pitalev
— Most likely, the militants here changed into civilian clothes, and abandoned their uniforms. They do this all the time," the accompanying fighter of the People's Militia explains to me.
I pick up one of the pieces of paper. This is the official correspondence of the Azov officers. The platoon commander asks the higher command to appoint Alexander Igorevich Lipovetsky with the call sign "Nemo" to the position of the driver of the 1st company.
On the flight of stairs between the first and second floors, Ukrainian formations equipped a firing position. A hole has been punched in the wall, burnt-out, but quite recognizable, remains of Ak-74 assault rifles and a PKK machine gun lie nearby. Several more positions were found on the second floor of the theater. In particular, there was a machine gun nest, as evidenced by the remains of a PC machine gun. At the end of the second floor, the Ukrainian militants had a local headquarters and a room for storing weapons. In a small room, the burnt remains of weapons and documents are lying around.
— Behind the scene, Ukrainian militants have placed stocks of ammunition and explosives. During the retreat, they blew it up," my escort explains bitterly.
The fighting in Mariupol continues. But the enemy understands that time for him is no longer for days, but for hours and minutes. And it is unlikely that dramatizations about the use of chemical weapons by Russian troops will help him.
Alexey Ramm
