One of the last remaining Ukrainian commanders holed up in the Mariupol siege has told of the nightly gauntlet of air raids and artillery.
And he bitterly blamed Russia for the waste of the billion USD it had poured into the siege, which could have been used to build “schools, hospitals, universities”.
Zenger News obtained the footage from the Azov Regiment – a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine based in devastated Mariupol, in south-eastern Ukraine – earlier today (Thursday, 28th April).
In an accompanying statement, Azov said (in Ukrainian): “Address from the Deputy Commander of the Azov Regiment, Captain Svyatoslav Palamar, Kalina, regarding the situation in Mariupol today.
“This night is just a colossal number of airstrikes, phosphorous bombs, missiles, artillery and everything that a barbarian can use against humanity.
“For all military words and actions are one and the same. Therefore, it is difficult for us to understand why we are promised and not acted upon.
“In total, it is 1111200180 dollars without expenses for fuel, equipment, medical evacuation, food, and other things.
“Think that this money is equal to the opportunity to build 163 schools, or 273 kindergartens, or 12 modern hospitals, 32 maternity hospitals or 82 pharmacies. This is only Mariupol. I’m not talking about Ukraine as a whole.
“Do not believe in our statistics – ask the official authorities in Russia how many died on the cruiser Moskva?
“I call on the military-political leadership to take decisive action to release or evacuate all those who hope and believe in the Homeland.
“Today I will say that Mariupol is not Ukraine, but Ukraine is Mariupol.”
In Captain Palamar’s address, he says (in Ukrainian but with subtitles in English): “We calculated approximate cost that Russians wasted on war in Mariupol instead of building schools, hospitals, universities or at least provided a decent aging for the pensioners.
“These numbers are colossal.
“It is unimaginable for a normal person to understand the logic of this war in Ukraine.
“As for now, the weapons, vehicles lost by the enemy, values at least 162 000 000 USD.
“Jet fuel, ammunition – 288 000 000 USD.
“The compensation for wounded and killed soldiers in Mariupol will cost Russian government 661 000 000 USD.
“In summary it is 1 111 200 180 USD.”
The last remaining Ukrainian troops in Mariupol are holed up in the Azovstal metallurgical plant.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who claimed control of the strategic port city last week, said the steelworks should be sealed off so that “not a fly” could escape.
