The British Ministry of Defence stated on Monday that the ongoing siege of Mariupol is constraining Russian forces and slowing their advance ahead of a major planned offensive in eastern Ukraine. In a daily intelligence update, the British military noted, "Coordinated Ukrainian resistance has been a severe test for Russian forces, diverting men and equipment, which has slowed Russia's progress elsewhere."
The port of the Sea of Azov has been devastated after weeks of Russian shelling. The UK asserts that "vast areas of infrastructure have been destroyed, and there are significant civilian casualties." The UK accuses Russia of employing tactics similar to those used during the total war on civilian areas seen in Chechnya and Syria, despite Moscow's claims at the onset of the invasion that Russia would avoid targeting cities and would not threaten the Ukrainian population.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Russian forces are attempting to breach the Azovstal steel and metal plant in Mariupol, where the remaining Ukrainian military personnel in the coastal city are entrenched. The statement highlighted "the continuation of missile and bombing strikes on Mariupol, particularly using Tu-22M3 strategic bombers."
It also mentioned that Russian forces are trying to invade Ukrainian military positions near the seaport and the Azovstal plant. Furthermore, it added that Russian forces "continue the partial siege of Kharkiv, attacking Ukrainian armed forces positions and critical infrastructure with fire." The report concluded that "the Russians have intensified hostilities in the Donetsk and Tavria regions, with movements of Russian troops towards Zaporizhia."
