Explosions near Mariupol: Russian forces' base hit
Illustrative photo: The location of the Russian army's base near Mariupol was hit (Getty Images)
On the morning of Monday, January 6, explosions were heard near Mariupol. The location of the Russian army's deployment was likely hit, according to the Sprotyv Pryazovya (Resistance of the Azov region) Telegram channel.
According to the Sprotyv Pryazovya, explosions were heard by residents of the village of Pionerske, near Mariupol.
"Preliminarily, it was an attack on the location of the occupiers. And quite accurate, as ambulances quickly headed to the site of the explosions," the message states.
Earlier, it was reported that North Korean technical specialists were spotted in temporarily occupied Mariupol. They were dressed in Russian military uniforms.
Situation in Mariupol
The occupation of Mariupol began in February 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The city became a symbol of heroic resistance as Ukrainian defenders held it for over 80 days despite massive airstrikes and artillery bombardments. The fighting was especially fierce at the Azovstal plant, where the last Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol held out under conditions of total blockade and severe resource shortages.
In May 2022, Mariupol fell completely under Russian control. Russian forces caused massive destruction, demolishing over 90% of the city's residential and critical infrastructure. As a result of the occupation, tens of thousands of civilians were killed, and those who remained faced repression, deportations, and an information blockade. Mariupol turned into a key logistical hub for Russian forces, complicating its liberation.
To capture Mariupol, the Russian army employed tactics of starvation and constant bombings. Civilians were left without water, gas, or electricity for several days after the siege, with temperatures dropping below -10°C.
