Russia is withdrawing around Kyiv and converging its resources in eastern Ukraine. And once again Mariupol is in Russian crosshairs.
The besieged southeastern city has been decimated by weeks of bombardment. And is the most damaged population center in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Mariupol is the port city on the Sea of Azov. It is within the Donbas region where mostly Russian is spoken. And Putin has long claimed that is loyal to Moscow. Kremlin-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian troops in the area for eight years.
The city has been surrounded since the start of the war. And for four weeks it received some of the most devastating attacks from Russian forces.
The city had a prewar population of over 430,000. Many have fled to find safety. And it is estimated that nearly 5,000 people have been killed by the constant barrage of bombs.
A maternity hospital and a theater being used as a bomb shelter were both hit. Only 100,000 people are believed to remain in the city. And they face extreme hardship with shortages of water, food, medicines, and food.
Red Cross blocked from Mariupol by Russian forces
The International Committee of the Red Cross attempted to evacuate Mariupol residents for over a week. But, as of Saturday they were still being blocked on the road to the city by the Russian military.
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