Russian Objectives
In the 60+ days of fighting in Ukraine, Russian troops have been seen concentrating on several objectives along the way- some, such as the attempt to take control of the capital Kyiv have been repelled by fierce defense of their home territory by Ukrainian regular military and their combat partners the militias of their regions, the Azov Battalion and the Pocket Army fielded by Ukrainian Billionaires. These militia's have received training from US and other Western Advisors, training on military equipment recently sent to Ukraine from the United States and some European countries. Now Russian objectives seem to liquify into holding territory gained in the eastern region known as the Donbas; the Donetsk and Dnipro regions. Military pundits seem to think a land-corridor to the Crimea is the objective, which would include conquering the large industrial city of Mariupol which is on the Southern coast at the Black Sea.
For weeks, Russian armor accompanied by infantry and air support have driven the defending battalions from all corners of Mariupol except one: the Azovstal Steelworks Factory. Up to 2000 Ukrainian fighters are reported to be there, along with 1000 militia and several hundred civilians.
Additional recent Russian objectives also include bombing and missile attacks on railway and other transportation hubs to halt the import of Western arms pouring into the country.
Humanitarian Mission
A UN Humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine said "101 people, women elderly and children were rescued from the bunkers under the Azovstal steelworks", however 24 hours later that was walked back by Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko from the city of Zaporizhzhia Tuesday where the evacuees were scheduled to be transported.
They haven't made it yet and it may take a while. Russian occupying forces allow the evacuees to pass through checkpoints only after complying with stringent documentation and interviews/interrogations according to humanitarian reports.
getty images
The massive Soviet-era steelworks plant is the last hold out for Ukrainian militia in the area, they have retreated to the labyrinth of underground tunnels originally constructed in 1933 under Joseph Stalin.
Medieval Siege
This fortress in a city is owned by Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, whose company Metinvest also owns the nearby Illich Steel and Ironworks and is suing the Russian Federation for damages sustained during the war. Akhmetov is a majority owner of Shakhtar Donetsk, a Ukrainian professional soccer team who are presently playing in exile.
Akhmetov assumed the mantle of president of the FC upon the assassination of the previous owner, Oleksander Bragin on October 15, 1995 who's bombing also killed 4 body guards and would have killed Akhmetov had he not been late due to traffic delays.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has instituted anti-Oligarch laws in their legislature, as a large swath of their country is controlled by these private armies. Their ranks are filled with eager young fighters mostly from Ukraine who wish to enact strict nationalistic laws for the sake of their country's "purity".
In 2014-15, severe civil unrest was the result of pro-Russian leaders being replaced by Ukrainian loyal regime who sought to destroy the opposition bloc. Pro-Russian forces and their supporters were forced underground when components of the Azov Battalion were unleashed on an Odessa Government building (and elsewhere) in 2015 which was sealed with people inside and burned, killing everyone who were perceived to support the pro-Russian sentiment.
A contest of two Bad Guys?
The Azov Battalion and other militias are the subject of Russian President Putin's dismay in Ukraine, groups he denigrates as "death squads" and "bandits".
It seems Putin may have the upper hand in the coming days with regards to finally taking control of all Mariupol and routing the "Nazi-militias" from their holes beneath the massive steelworks. But it will be a highly dangerous endeavor to physically remove all the fighters as the catacombs are said to be extensive. Ukrainian fighters and politicians alike worry the defensive positions may be fortified enough that a chemical weapons attack may be seen as the only alternative to win this battle.
News last week heralded a call for help from the fighters below the Azovstal, for food, water and ammo which all are running low. With their supply lines cut, how long can the fighters hold out? It remains to be seen, but rest assured the civilians in their midst will be exploited for their maximum value, to gain breaks in the shelling and the assault Russia is administering daily. Several have been evacuated from the steel plant, but haven't at the time of this writing been accounted for at any UN or Red Cross locations.
On a wall in the shattered remains of the coastal city, this message has been painted:
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