Offensive on Mariupol (September 2014): Difference between revisions
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24 tanks, 12+ APCs,10+ trucks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fra4zrv_KfI|title=Ceasefire Ends as Pro-Russia Forces Shell Ukrainian Tanks: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 77)|work=YouTube|accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref> 1000 troops |
24 tanks, 12+ APCs,10+ trucks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fra4zrv_KfI|title=Ceasefire Ends as Pro-Russia Forces Shell Ukrainian Tanks: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 77)|work=YouTube|accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref> 1000 troops |
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|strength2=20+ tanks,750 troops |
|strength2=20+ tanks,750 troops |
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|casualties1= |
|casualties1= 5 tanks and 1 truck destroyed and 1 tank abandoned<ref name="breached">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/06/eastern-ukraine-ceasefire-russia|title=Ukraine ceasefire breached in Donetsk and Mariupol|work=the Guardian|accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="rocks"/>.31 Killed,79 wounded |
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|casualties2= 1 tank and 1 truck destroyed and 1 truck abandoned<ref name="novosti"/><ref name="russiantank"/>.20 Killed,54 wounded |
|casualties2= 1 tank and 1 truck destroyed and 1 truck abandoned<ref name="novosti"/><ref name="russiantank"/>.20 Killed,54 wounded |
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|casualties3= 8 civilians killed<ref name="rocks"/><ref name="despite"/> |
|casualties3= 8 civilians killed<ref name="rocks"/><ref name="despite"/> |
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Revision as of 16:55, 13 May 2015
| Offensive on Mariupol (September 2014) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War in Donbass | |||||||
 Ukrainian troops on patrol in Mariupol, 5 September 2014 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Ukraine |
 Russia (denied by Russia, confirmed by belligerents)[1] | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Pres. Petro Poroshenko Andriy Biletsky |
 Alexander Zakharchenko | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
 Russian Armed Forces (denied by Russia) | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 24 tanks, 12+ APCs,10+ trucks,[2] 1000 troops | 20+ tanks,750 troops | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 tanks and 1 truck destroyed and 1 tank abandoned[3][4].31 Killed,79 wounded | 1 tank and 1 truck destroyed and 1 truck abandoned[5][6].20 Killed,54 wounded | ||||||
| 8 civilians killed[4][7] | |||||||
In late August and early September of 2014, rebels supporting the Donetsk People's Republic (with help of regular Russian army) advanced on the government-controlled city of Mariupol in southern Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. This followed a wide offensive by DPR/Novorossiya forces, which led to their capture of Novoazovsk to the east. Fighting reached the outskirts of Mariupol on 6 September.
Events
Rebel Advance
The offensive against Mariupol[8] began on 28 August 2014, when rebel forces captured the town of Novoazovsk and marched towards Mariupol. The Ukrainian soldiers that left Novoazovsk retreated to Mariupol. Many citizens left Mariupol due to fear of an attack.
On 4 September, Ukrainian forces engaged rebels, who came from the village of Bezimenne, between the villages of Shirokino and Berdyanske.[9] One rebel tank and a truck were destroyed, while another separatist truck was left abandoned.[5][10]
On 5 September, fighting primarily raged in the village of Shirokino, while clashes once again took place at Bezimenne. The clashes over the previous two days had left seven civilians dead.[7] Also, the Azov battalion started to train Mariupol citizens in self-defense and organize popular militias to defend the city.[11] About a dozen of Ukrainian army APCs arrived with men and ammo to help the defense battalions to defend the city. More heavy fighting was reported in Mariupol despite the ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian forces shelled rebel positions near Mariupol, and claimed to have repelled an attack. Rebel forces claimed they entered Mariupol, which Ukraine denied.[12]
Fighting in the outskirts
On 6 September, seven Ukrainian Army T-64 tanks faced in battle with 30 advancing rebel tanks, allegedly T-80s supplied by Russia. The Ukrainians repelled the attack but lost four tanks and retreated with the three remaining tanks to the Army checkpoint on the outskirts of Mariupol. The commander of the Ukrainian tank brigade was in a state of post-shock but the three surviving tanks were reloaded with ammunition so they could return to the battlefield.[13]
On 7 September, DPR artillery fire destroyed a Ukrainian military truck at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the town. A civilian was also killed in the shelling.[4] The Azov Battalion also captured a tank near Mariupol, while the crew escaped.[6] The same day, it was confirmed DPR forces had captured Shirokino.[14]
On 8 September, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited Mariupol, telling steelworkers that Ukrainian forces had secured the city with tanks, howitzers, anti-tanks guns and other weapons should the rebels violate the ceasefire. He also promised a "crushing defeat" on the rebels if they advanced on the city.[15]
Aftermath
On October 23, 2014, prime minister of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko vowed to retake Mariupol, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk. In his statement, he said "Periods of intense hostilities will follow. We will retake Slaviansk, Kramatorsk and Mariupol. Unfortunately, it was impossible to make peaceful settlement the focus of negotiations. We are the only ones who comply with the regime of silence."[16]
On October 29, 2014, Mariupol city authorities said that Ukrainian positions in the village of Talakivka came under Grad and rocket fire from rebel forces.[17]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-s-igor-strelkov-claims-responsibility-for-unleashing-war-in-ukraine/511584.html
- ^ "Ceasefire Ends as Pro-Russia Forces Shell Ukrainian Tanks: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 77)". YouTube. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine ceasefire breached in Donetsk and Mariupol". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Heavy fighting rocks eastern Ukraine port just hours into ceasefire between government and rebels". Mail Online. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b "ЭКСКЛЮЗИВ! 2 часа назад: Трасса Донецк-Мариуполь горит военная техника! Донецк, Луганск". YouTube. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b "The ATO Forces captured a Russian tank near Mariupol. Video". Information Resistance. September 7, 2014.
- ^ a b "Heavy fighting outside Mariupol despite launch of Ukrainian peace talks". Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ Fighting rages between Ukrainian army and rebels despite start of talks
- ^ "Militia starts reconnaissance in force near Mariupol - media". Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Explosions heard, black plumes of smoke seen just east of Mariupol Port in Ukraine – RTRS witness". Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Azov Battalion trains Mariupol residents in self-defense tactics". KyivPost. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine fighting subsides after ceasefire agreement". The Irish Times. September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
- ^ Сім українських танків дали героїчний бій 30-ти російським Т-80 під Маріуполем, - ЗМІ (Seven Ukrainian tank gave heroic battle against 30 Russsian T-80 tanks near Mariupol). Press of Ukraine (Uapress.info), 6 September 2014
- ^ "At night, the militants stepped on Mariupol on three fronts - Advisor Taruta". Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine president visits frontline city amid 'shaky' ceasefire". Reuters. Sepotember 8, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Donetsk Forces Plan to Retake Slaviansk, Kramatorsk, Mariupol". RIA NOVOSTI. October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Mariupol authorities report shelling of Ukrainian positions near town". Kyiv Post. October 29, 2014.