Russia claimed to have captured the major western city Mariupol on Friday in what would be its biggest victory yet in its war with Ukraine, after a nearly three-month siege that reduced much of the strategic port city to a smoking ruin. Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying a total of 2,439 Ukrainian fighters who had been holed up at the steelworks had surrendered since Monday, including over 500 on Friday. As they surrendered, the Russians took the troops prisoner, and at least some were taken to a former penal colony. Others were said to be hospitalized...
Why Mariupol?
The biggest reason why Russia chose Mariupol specifically is that it is the closest major city to Russia's territory Crimea. Also, some experts said, Russia does not have enough power to take multiple cities OR larger cities such as Kyiv and Lviv.
Written By Rohan Saindane
Grade 7 News Reporter