The Battle for Mariupol
Russian forces quickly overran the Southern Ukrainian industrial city of Mariupol, but a group of Ukrainian soldiers retreated to the Azovstal steelworks and held out against everything the Russians could throw at them.
Spring faded into summer, and in May, the Ukrainians were still entrenched at Azovstal. Mariupol has been a disaster for the Russian propaganda machine. A group of hard-bitten heroes fighting to the death in a steel mill is exactly what they would not have wanted—it is bad press. There is no question that Russia effectively controls the city they have invaded, but it has lost time, reputation, and a significant number of personnel in mopping up the last of the resistance.From a purely arithmetical point of view, though, Mariupol is another major loss for the Ukrainian side. The Russian forces have now opened up a broad path from Moscow to the sea. If Russia can hold it (and Stalingrad reminds us they are very good at holding positions), then it leaves Ukraine much weakened.
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