Mariupol: Significance
Date: 28 March 2022 Tags: MiscellaneousIssue
Russia has laid a siege on one of the largest cities in Ukraine, Mariupol. The continuous attacks have turned the city into piles of ashes.
Background
Mariupol is a key battleground located in the Donetsk oblast region of the country and resisted efforts by rebels to capture the city.
Details
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Mariupol is located in a strategic point on the banks of Sea of Azov. It forms a land bridge between rebel-controlled Crimea and the newly captured Donbass region.
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It is just 100 km away from the rebel-held regions but has resisted any move by the rebels to capture the city.
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It was later reclaimed by Ukrainian forces and was named as the regional capital of Oblast after Donetsk fell to rebel forces.
Importance
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Ukraine has maritime advantage of the city. Majority of coastline is captured by Russia and a small area around Mariupol is under Ukrainian control.
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Other cities Melitopol and Berdyansk along Sea of Azov are already under Russian control. Mariupol is critical for Ukraine to have hold over eastern coast.
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Ukraine’s maritime trade will completely collapse in case Mariupol is seized. Ukraine will become a land-locked country.
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Mariupol is home to two of the largest iron and steel plants in Europe. Capture of the city will hit maritime trade and metal production.
Maritime fencing
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Since annexation of Crimea, Russia has almost gained complete control over Black Sea coast. The closure of Kerch strait was another move to paralyze Ukraine’s maritime trade.
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Cargo handling at Mariupol and Berdyansk fell by more than 50 percent since the construction of Kerch bridge as it can allow ships with maximum height of 35-meters.
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Ukrainian ships have to wait for more than 5 hours to get through Russian checking. Ukraine saw a loss of $400 million as a result of bottlenecks.
Significance for Russia
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Capturing Mariupol will be one step towards Putin’ dream of creating Novorossiya, a historical territory consisting many parts of modern-day Ukraine.
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It will also be a morale booster for Russian troops, who have been involved in a stalemate since the start of invasion.