The Russians were unsuccessfully sending columns of armored vehicles to take Pokrovske. Meanwhile, the Mariupol residents were concerned about the water shortage. Life was sustained by snow.
That morning, four Russian BMP-2 IFVs with dismounts were sent to cut off the city's defenders along Azovska Flotilia Street (Pokrovske direction of advance). One Azov infantry detachment and BTR-4 APC were sent there to reinforce the area. This episode is known due to the video made by “Frost,” where a Ukrainian APC destroys a Russian IFV.
video by Azov
Within half an hour, the main body of Russian forces (two infantry companies on BMP-2s supported by five tanks) tried to enter Mariupol through Pokrovske during the ceasefire regime. There were also attempts to organize a “green corridor” to evacuate civilians at the time. Azov's special reconnaissance platoon and two T-64 main battle tanks were deployed to repel the breakthrough.
By that time, it had already become clear to everyone that the assault on Mariupol would turn into hell. The invaders would probe for soft spots in the defense daily, but the defenders managed to repel all the attacks. In total, the Russians lost two BMP-2 IFVs in that battle, with three other combat vehicles and two T-72 main battle tanks damaged. However, during the battle at the checkpoint, a Russian tank managed to hit an Azov T-64B1M main battle tank (side number 1) and an APC.
video by Azov
After my transfer from a tank company to a special reconnaissance platoon, we were assigned to the detachment under the command of “Cerberus.” The man was a slave to his trade. Whenever Azov held some courses, he always took part and invited us younger ones. Twice a month, he would test our skills to completely disassemble and assemble all our weapons.
Artem began his military career in 2014. He served in Azov Regiment all that time and participated in all combat operations. He was an outstanding expert in artillery, fire adjustment, anti-tank systems, diving, and was fond of sniping. On February 24, he was taking sergeant courses in another city, but in four days he and some other fighters somehow managed to get from the west of the country and break through into the partially surrounded Mariupol. He is an example of how people from the other part of the country rushed to Mariupol when others were fleeing like rats.
When the enemy infantry was advancing on the Melekine checkpoint supported by two tanks, we already had four dead and some of our vehicles were damaged. Our group went to repel that breakthrough. I remember “Cerberus” with an RPG, destroying enemy tanks and infantry. Then he helped to carry the wounded and dead out of the destroyed checkpoint. While we were retreating, “Cerberus” was in the group's rear. There was small-arms fire and a fragmentation grenade exploded. I turned around and saw that Artem had been wounded. We stopped the bleeding and carried out an evacuation. On March 12, Artem Movchan, call sign “Cerberus,” died in the hospital.[1]
photo by Azov
There were about 300 people there, maybe more. I was drawing up duty rosters. During the curfew, men would guard the two entrances to the basement. There were also people on duty in the restrooms to carry out buckets. The duty in the kitchen was to wash pots, spoons, and forks with water drained from the heating system.
Our children got sick twice during the 11 days we stayed in the basement. I had brought some antipyretics, Nurofen, Efferalgan, and Analgin. I gave these to people as not everyone could gather their first-aid kits. We also had some antibiotics. One day, people whose house had been destroyed by a missile came to our shelter. Then, those drugs became necessary. Fortunately, these people had been behind the foundation wall, but it fell on them. The woman had a wound on her face, so the antibiotics were very useful.
There was no medicine at all, no doctors were available, and it was impossible to get to the hospitals. Once I told someone: “The children are sick, what should I do?” Nina, my youngest, had a 39.4° fever. She got sick for the first time. She was 4 months old, and some man said: “She won't survive.” I was just speechless.
Once, food supplies were delivered to us. I guess it was the police – they brought some biscuits and butter. Usually, people who were with us in the shelter went out and got supplies somewhere. They went to the shops to get groceries with permission from the police. It was a common practice. [2]
Під Маріуполем знищено танкову роту та близько 40 російських окупантів
Українські військові, які захищають Маріуполь, знищили танкову роту противника, шість бойових броньованих машин та близько 40 російських окупантів.
To article →Kremlin Accused of Using Cease-fires, Humanitarian Corridors as War Tactic
The message from Mariupol, Ukraine’s besieged port city on the Sea of Azov, was stark. “We’re still holding on,” a resident, Ihor, concluded his brief 34-word message. Terrified residents of the city who are desperate to flee have twice been teased with the prospect of being able to evacuate through a humanitarian corridor.
To article →The lack of drinking water remained a major issue.In the first days, it seemed as if the situation was under control, and tap water was still flowing. We thought the things would remain the same. That was a mistake. We collected some water during the first power outage. We knew the pumping stations would stop working if there was no power. When the power was restored, we ran off the water we had and collected it again during the next outage. It was about a third of a bathtub. And this turned out to be too little. Moreover, we bought some drinking water in the supermarket, though only a few 6-liter bottles.
When it became obvious that there would be no more tap water, I realized how irresponsible we had been. People quickly learned about a well on the way down Fontanna Street in the Old Town where they could get drinking water. At first, I didn't really trust its quality but then I noticed that the utility workers were also taking water there. One day we went down to Fontanna Street. In fact, a lot of people went there, it was a kind of place of power for all the district residents. And the water was alright. Clear albeit a bit salty. I suppose it was because of the proximity to the sea. Still, we didn't really have a choice.
photo by a representative of the aggressor state
Блокированные «Азовом»: мирные жители Мариуполя стали заложниками бизнеса Ахметова
Городской голова Мариуполя, ставленник империи украинского олигарха Рината Ахметова на этом посту, Вадим Бойченко дал интервью одиозному журналисту Дмитрию Гордону, а по сути, обратился со слезливой речью.
To article →We had identified several natural springs: one near the bridge on the Right Bank, the other at the bottom of Kronshtadtska Street, and the third on the embankment near the pier. We also found a well on Cheremushky, near “Leleky” (the Moryakiv suburban area). Next to the house where we lived, there was a well on our neighbors' private property. At first, they didn't let us in. Within three to four days, I saw people going there to take water. People were waiting in lines – they shared the water. [3]
On March 8 there was snowfall, which became a great gift for Mariupol residents. Most filled their bathtubs and all available containers with snow.
Azov fighters Maksym "Sima" Hrachov [killed in action on April 7] and Myroslav “Dzhykser” Vyshnevyi [killed in action on March 12] load flowers into a pickup to greet women at Hospital No. 555
foto by Evhen Sosnovskyi
Ukrainian Girl Tanya, 6, Died of Thirst After Russia Cut City’s Water Supply, Mayor Says
“We cannot imagine how much suffering an innocent child had to endure,” Boychenko wrote on Tuesday. “In the last minutes of her life she was alone, exhausted, frightened, terribly thirsty. This is just one of the many stories of Mariupol, which has been surviving the blockade for eight days.”
To article →
Ворог обстріляв коридор для евакуації з Маріуполя, ведуться переговори про тишу – мер
Гуманітарний конвой, який прямував до Маріуполя, потрапив під обстріл — радник міського голови.
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