Against impossible odds, Mariupol still stands. Yesterday, April 12th it was reported that Ukrainian marines broke through a Russian cordon. **Note, that it is impossible to confirm any news coming out of Mariupol with any degree of certainty**.
"I can’t give you all the details, but I can say that right now we have joined the "Azov" Regiment. Several hundred marines managed to escape, including the wounded," - an officer from the 36th Brigade
Not only did several hundred Marines break through but they took their wounded with them. According to Олексій Арестович
1. Azov received a significant reinforcement.
2. The 36th brigade avoided a split in pieces and received additional serious opportunities, actually found a second chance.
3. The city's defenders, now together, have seriously strengthened their defense district.
In general, the city's defense system has increased and strengthened.
This is what happens when officers don't lose their minds, but maintain control of the troops firmly.
Another source: Морпіхи 36-ї бригади в Маріуполі: частина з’єдналася з “Азовом”, частина – ішла на прорив, багато потрапили в полон
Russian ‘news’ outlets have been claiming they have taken Mariupol. That would be news to the defenders of Mariupol who are still holding the city.
It’s been reported by the Russian “news” media that on March 31st Lieutenant Svyatoslav Palamar was killed but this is a communique from him dated April 11th.
Azov has played a critical role in the defense of Mariupol. How critical it’s difficult to say, as it may be that Azov is more connected to social media than other Ukrainian units in Mariupol, so they cast a larger media presence. But it is clear Azov has been giving the Russians hell.
Let me address the “Azov are Neo-Nazis” issue here. When Russian apologists try and buttress the claim of a Neo-Nazi threat from Ukraine you will note that all of the incidents and images are from 8-10 years ago. Both Ukraine and the Azov Regiment are very different today than they were before the Minsk agreement in 2014. Ukraine has done nothing to violate that agreement and what happened before can’t be used to justify any action today.
The alt-right coalition that included the Neo-Nazis went from 10% of the vote back in 2014 to 2.2% nationwide in the last elections. The Azov regiment that started as a militia of skinheads and soccer hooligans was integrated into the armed forces. Its Neo-Nazi leaders are long gone and the unit takes orders from the armed forces and is no longer connected to any political party. It now includes Jews and Muslims in its ranks and a lot of Russian speakers. There are more Nazis at a typical Trump rally than among the defenders of Mariupol today
Muslim Azerbaijanis in the Azov Regiment:
More on the history of Azov here:
It should also be pointed out that the Russian side of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine has been chock full of Neo-Nazis:
The most effective separatist militia in the Donbas is the Neo-Nazi Sparta brigade:
Then there is one of the Neo-Nazi founders of Putin’s private army, the Wagner Group, which is active in Ukraine:
The point of this is not to excuse Azov’s origins or its past when it was a violent militia. It’s to point out the fact that Putin has no problem with Nazis. He employs them and finances them. He could not care less about Nazis in Ukraine or in Russia.
The Ukrainians and the Azov regiment have been doing an excellent job of ‘de-nazifying’ Ukraine. Another battalion that started life as a right-wing militia, the Tornado battalion was disbanded and its leaders prosecuted for crimes. The Ukrainians have done what the Russians have not done, they are cleaning house and imposing the rule of law in the government and the military. The same can’t be said for Putin and his fascist thugs. This brings us back to Mariupol and its defenders. No doubt there remain ultra-nationalists and Neo-Nazis in military and police units. Every army and police force in the world attracts these types and Ukraine is no different. It’s a problem here in the US. Ukraine should not be held to a standard that no nation in the world could meet.
The “Azov is Neo-Nazi” propaganda has deprived this unit of the Ukrainian armed forces of weapons and training, as no one in the West would have anything to do with them. Despite that, they have held out against all odds. Mariupol and its defenders, including the heroes of Azov, will take their place in history alongside the defenders of Leningrad and Stalingrad against the Fascist hordes. They all deserve the full support of the West. I hope the Ukrainian army manages to reach them before it is too late. That would not only be a tragedy for the defenders of Mariupol, it would be a bigger disaster for 10s of thousands of civilians who would be left completely defenseless against the full wrath of Putin’s Orcs.
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2022 · 7:40:47 PM +00:00 · Irenaeus
Commanders of Azov and Ukrainian Marines who have joined forces after the Marines broke through Russian lines.
Left (Azov commander): "Glory to Ukraine. Yesterday, we have united with the worthy fighters of the Naval Infantry battalion. True warriors, heroes, who remained loyal to their oaths, loyal to the Ukrainian people, and who continue defending the city together with us. They are real men, who have chosen the path of war. Do not make heroes of deserters and fighters who had voluntarily surrendered. They have chosen the path of shame, and these people should not be heroized."
Right (Naval Infantry commander): "Glory to Ukraine. We have completed a successful operation with the Azov Regiment. We have joined our forces, made a regroup, and continue carrying out military objectives. Our morale is high, we know what we do and why we are here, and we will do everything necessary for the successful conclusion of our mission."
The Marines split into 2 groups one tried to break through to the North to get back to Ukrainian-held territory and the other stayed behind and broke through Russian forces to join up with Azov and fight to the end to defend Mariupol.
The break-out attempt took place simultaneously with a battle in the center of Mariupol between RF forces and Marines wanting to stay in the city and fight to the last. According to 36 Brigade and Azov Regiment statements, the stay-behind Marines broke through RF positions the city’s central and Primorsky districts to link up with Azov Regiment combatants holding the Azovstal steel mill, in Mariupol’s industrial district.
Azov is in it to the last man. They will be given no quarter by the Russians and its victory or death for them. The Marines who have joined them have probably almost doubled their force.