Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, photo by a representative of the aggressor state
FAB-3000 aerial bomb, photo by a representative of the aggressor state
The Russians were using Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and three-ton bombs to destroy Mariupol. The defense of the Prymorskyi District was being swept away.
The Russians recommissioned three-ton high-explosive FAB-3000 aerial bombs [explosive weight – about 1,400 kg]. Their only carrier of such bombs is the Tu-22M3 strategic bomber. The FAB-3000 was introduced in 1946, and the previous time this ammunition had been used was during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. These bombs were now being used to attack Mariupol.
Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, photo by a representative of the aggressor state
FAB-3000 aerial bomb, photo by a representative of the aggressor state
On April 14-15, 2022, a Tupolev Tu-22M3 was filmed in the sky over Mariupol for the first time. Later, attacks by strategic bombers on the city became a regular occurrence.
Tu-22M3 over Mariupol, video from representatives of the aggressor country
Tu-22M3 strike on Azovstal, video by Azov
We were stationed at the Magma plant. The enemy stormed us twice a day. The air and artillery strikes, which happened mostly at night, were relatively easy. 70% of the 120 mm mortar rounds fired at us never exploded – they only made holes in the workshops. It was much more difficult to deal with tanks and IFVs because we did not have anti-tank weapons. Firstly, the mobilized LPR and DPR fighters would attack us: they would uncover our firing points, and then the armored vehicles would join. On April 14, at Magma, I sustained three leg wounds and a shrapnel injury to my eye.
On April 14, the enemy began to attack from various directions. In the south, they came from the fire department direction, and in the east through residential suburbs with detached houses. A group of Russian marines made their way to the narrow in our rear. Our forces managed to surround them and even capture one Tajik. I was ordered to take him to the Dzherelo command post. At that time, I heard units from Magma reporting: “Chechens are already in the workshop!” There was a battle there. A column of Russian tanks was moving along Flotska Street, and I saw “Karas” (Azov) run out into the middle of the road behind the column with an NLAW and shoot at the last vehicle. The tank stopped but did not catch fire. The entire column also stopped. They stood for five minutes and then backed up. With that shot, Karas gave us time for an organized retreat.
photo from open sources
We split into groups and agreed to meet at School No. 26. I was convoying the Tajik. The boys taunted me: “What the hell do you need him for? Let him run.” Still, I wished to deliver him to Dzherelo specifically because there was an internet connection there, and I could write to my family. Having delivered the Tajik, I sent my messages. It was the evening of April 14. We set out for a position in a five-story building on Budivelnykiv Boulevard. We had just gone to bed and planned to prepare defenses in the morning when we were ordered to retreat to Azovstal works.
photo by Azov
My daughter studied at school No. 26. The fighting in mid-April was very tough. When we were forced to retreat to the school from our positions, I found my daughter's closet in the classroom, stuck my head in there, and breathed in the smell of my home.
School No. 26 before and after the occupation of Mariupol, photo provided by the Mariupol City Council
When the defense line on the right on Flotska Street and the left in the seaport failed, the remaining fighters of 3rd company of the 2nd Azov battalion were surrounded a little north of the Prymor’ya shopping center. There, Dmytro “Slender” Hubaryev, Azov, whose ATGM group hit a Russian boat on March 21, was killed in action. 12 fighters from the attached units were also killed that day. While breaking through from the encirclement, two BTR-82A IFVs and an enemy infantry were eliminated.
In his video, Svyatoslav Palamar, Azov deputy commander, stated the invaders' losses in the battle for Mariupol. According to him, the Russian army had suffered losses of 46 tanks, 69 armored vehicles, 30 APCs, and 2,000 personnel wounded or killed. From April 1 to 14, 3rd company of 2nd Azov Battalion and its attached forces caused the enemy to lose an average of one tank and a platoon of infantry every day.
95% будівель у Маріуполі зруйновані – Зеленський
Російські окупанти зруйнували у Маріуполі 95% будівель, а багатьох жителів депортували до Росії.
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