Pro-Moscow separatist forces, likely augmented by Russian soldiers, have began a bombardment of a major Ukrainian coastal city.
Mariupol sits between pro-Russian occupied areas and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in March. The city had previously seen clashes between Ukrainian security forces and separatists in May.
But Mariupol remained in Ukrainian hands and avoided the destruction wrought during battles between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists that have swept across eastern Ukraine throughout the summer.
The city of half a million is now facing bombardment and possible invasion by Russian-backed separatist forces.
Source: we expect the Russian army will attempt to storm #Mariupol#Ukraine tonight or early in the morning unless something comes up
— Ukraine Reporter (@StateOfUkraine) September 4, 2014We hear sounds of artillery shelling east to #Mariupol all evening. Ukrainians left the eastern checkpoint empty. Interesting night ahead...
— Wojciech Bojanowski (@BojanowskiW) September 4, 2014The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has released a statement saying that heavy fighting has taken place to the east of Mariupol between the Ukrainian army and "irregular armed groups" for the past day. There's speculation that armed groups may move into Mariupol once night falls.
Russian forces have started a bombardment of the fields surrounding Mariupol with Grad rocket systems that have likely been supplied from Russia. Grads are Soviet-developed rockets usually fired from a truck-mounted missile battery.
The express purpose of the missile fire seems to be clearing out Ukrainian military vehicles, providing the advancing separatist force with direct access to the city.
Separatist-fired missiles hit the fields in direct sight of #Mariupol. There's not much to stop their tanks here pic.twitter.com/ik25WcdluG
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) September 4, 2014Mariupol is a strategic port city on the Azov Sea. If taken, the city would provide a link between the rebel capital of Donetsk and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in March.
A corridor from Russia to Crimea would allow Russia to more easily resupply its position while preventing the Crimean economy from collapsing.
https://t.co/E73EgdBY7J#Mariupol,#Ukraine:Locals swear profusely at massive #Russian Grad attack on suburbs. #Russiapic.twitter.com/RUwn4y1aSm
— Ukrainian Updates (@Ukroblogger) September 4, 2014A roadside YouTube video from the fields outside of Mariupol shows the Grad bombardment in full swing.
A second YouTube video from inside of Mariupol shows that the bombardment is happening directly outside of the city.
According to The Interpreter, there have been claims and counter-claims by both separatists and the Ukrainian military that the other side is fleeing the battle after sustaining significant losses.
Below is a video from the AP showing destruction along the road from Donetsk to Mariupol.
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