“By that time, the enemy had already completely controlled the entire territory around the city of Mariupol, and it was impossible to use the waterways, since the enemy let down their warships, and they controlled the exits from the Mariupol port. Therefore, the only way left was an air bridge,” said the head of the GUR Kirill Budanov.
As the head of communications of the defense of Mariupol with the call sign “Molfar” admits, it was expected that the main forces of the Russians would go from the direction of Bezymianny. And the invaders came from the rear, which the defenders of Azovstal did not expect at all.
“We wanted to prevent the enemy from entering the city, so that they would not cross the river. Therefore, we wanted them to run into Azovstal from the left bank and no longer go into the city. We did not think that the enemy would come from the rear, from the direction Berdyansk,” he said.
A fighter of the Azov Regiment “George” told what the defenders of Mariupol rejoiced most of all when one of the helicopters landed at their location.
“We were not so happy about the evacuation, but when they unloaded the communication system of both the Javelin and the Stinger. We were happy. That’s it! The guys will show them now!” he said.
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