Chemical weapons threat raises stakes for Mariupol’s last stand

A man with a bicycle walks through downtown Mariupol on April 12, 2022. Photo taken during a trip organised by the Russian military. © Alexander Nemenov, AFP

The Ukrainian city of Mariupol is on the verge of falling to Russian forces after a brutal siege that has lasted more than 40 days. Recent reports of a chemical weapons attack are raising fears in the city, but is the threat real?

After more than 40 days spent defending the city of Mariupol, the 36 Marines Unit of the Ukrainian Army posted a message to Facebook on Monday. “Today will probably be the last fight, as the ammo is running out,” they wrote. “Some [of us] will die, some will be captured. I beg you to remember the Marines.”