Within Mariupol Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade has managed to break out of Russian encirclement and link up with remaining Azov Battalion forces in their own pocket.
This demonstrates that the Russians are not as strong inside of Mariupol as they thought.
Over the last week or so the Russians have been pulling regular units out of Mariupol and sending them to the front lines north of the city, because of Ukr raids towards the city.
@Render Ukr are going to retake Mariupol aren't they‽
@stueytheround Getting there, slowly.
If/when they do it will be because of events elsewhere on the southern front forcing the Russians to retreat away from the city.
A direct breaking of the siege was never in the cards. But indirectly lifting the siege was always a better plan.
@Render @stueytheround
If Mariupol is retaken by Ukr, it will be a huge embarrassment to Ru and Pooty. I can't see that lasting longer than it would take to evacuate whomever will go. Or, it becomes a strategy to split the Ru forces on the coast and deny them a resuppling land bridge. I guess it's all about allocation of limited resources.
@jurban @stueytheround
As gross as it may sound Mariupol is just a sideshow.
Melitopol is the key to the southern front. If the Russians lose that city and its crucial road network they will not be able to sustain the siege of Mariupol.