All women, children and old people saved from steelworks in Mariupol - entrenched fighters hope for a miracle

Created: 05/08/2022 04:59

By: Patrick Mayer, Bedrettin Bölükbasi, Christina Denk

All women, children and the elderly are said to have been evacuated from the Mariupol steelworks.

The fighters send out a call for help from the port city.

News ticker.

• Escalated Ukraine conflict:

  Ukrainian soldiers

  in

  Mariupol

  : Fighters send a call for help after evacuation

• Besieged

  Mariupol

  Steel Plant

  : All women ,

  children and elderly evacuated, according to Ukrainian sources.

• Ukraine reports

  shooting down of a Russian landing craft

  .

• This 

  news ticker on military developments in the Ukraine war

   is constantly updated.

  You can read the background to the Ukraine war here.

Update from May 7, 10:50 p.m .:

Ukraine has asked the organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to evacuate and provide medical care to the soldiers entrenched in the Azov steelworks in Mariupol.

As Kyiv announced on Saturday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk wrote a letter to the MSF leadership.

The defenders of the huge industrial complex have been "under the constant bombardment and attacks of the Russian army" for 72 days, and "for lack of medicine, water and food, the wounded soldiers are dying of gangrene and blood poisoning," said the Ministry of Rehabilitation of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.

The organization should help the soldiers whose "human rights are violated by the Russian Federation".

War in Ukraine: Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol – fighters send call for help after evacuation

Update from May 7, 10:27 p.m .:

After the evacuation of the last civilians from the Azovstal steel plant besieged by Russian troops in the port city of Mariupol, the Ukrainian fighters entrenched there sent an urgent call for help.

He can only hope for a miracle, the commander of the 36th Marines Brigade, Serhiy Wolynskyj, wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

"Here's to higher powers finding a solution to save us!"

Mariupol has been under almost complete Russian control for weeks.

Ukrainian troops are around 100 kilometers away and unable to help the remaining soldiers in the largely destroyed city.

A view of Mariupol on May 4th.

Three days later, all women, children and old people could be evacuated from the steel mill in the city.

© Alexei Alexandrov/dpa

According to consistent information from Kiev and Moscow, the last women and children as well as older civilians were brought to safety from the factory premises on Saturday

).

In the course of the evacuation, three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and six wounded, Volynskyj wrote.

Observers assume that Russian troops now want to take Azovstal as quickly as possible in order to be able to announce the complete conquest of Mariupol.

"It seems like I ended up on some hell of a reality show where we military are fighting for our lives and the whole world is watching the interesting play!" lamented the 30-year-old.

Ukraine war: role of secret services - CIA agents warn against public statements

Update from May 7, 9:20 p.m

.: Both British and American secret services openly deal with information in the Ukraine war.

The British secret service also repeatedly gives assessments of the situation of the Russian army.

Former US intelligence officers have told the

advised her colleagues in the service to stop bragging about her contribution to Ukraine's military successes.

“My personal view is that it is unwise.

I am surprised at the level of official acknowledgment of the US Secret Service's role in the sinking of the Moscow and even more so in the assassination of the generals," said Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA official.

According to the report, the American press, citing unknown officials, recently reported on the significant involvement of the US secret service in the sinking of the Russian ship.

The big concern is that this kind of public acknowledgment of this full US role in the setbacks negotiated with the Russians could provoke Putin to escalate in a way he might not otherwise find necessary.

Paul Pillar, former CIA officer, on the role of US intelligence in the Ukraine war

"The big concern is that this kind of public acknowledgment of this full US role in the setbacks negotiated with the Russians could provoke Putin to escalate in a way he might not otherwise feel necessary," Pillar said.

John Sipher, also a former CIA agent, does not see the risk of an escalation as significantly increased, but described the procedure as disrespectful to the Ukrainians fighting on the ground.

Ukraine War News: Besieged Mariupol Steel Plant - All women, children and elderly evacuated

Update from May 7, 6:47 p.m .:

According to the Ukrainian government, all women, children and the elderly have been taken out of the Azov-Stahl group’s steelworks in Mariupol, which was besieged by Russian troops.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk on Saturday.

Numerous civilians had sought protection in the industrial complex, in which Ukrainian soldiers are also holed up.

In the past few days, around 500 people have been evacuated from the steelworks to safety

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in the evening that a total of 51 people had been rescued from Azovstal since last Thursday - this completes the evacuation of all civilians.

On Saturday there was only one person left who was now safe.

Ukraine had recently repeatedly stated that around 200 civilians were still in the plant.

In addition, more people are said to be holding out in other parts of Mariupol, where more than 400,000 people lived before the war.

Ukraine War News: Ukrainian WWII veteran shows destruction in eastern Ukraine

Update from May 7, 6:11 p.m .:

Shortly before the 77th anniversary of the victory of the Sojwetunion over Hitler’s Germany, the house of a 97-year-old World War veteran in the Kharkov region in eastern Ukraine was destroyed by what is believed to be Russian shelling.

"If I still had the strength, the first thing I would do is go to the defense and help our army,"

Ivan Lyssun, who fought in the Red Army during World War II, told Ukrainian television on Saturday.

He showed the reporters his completely destroyed house and the spot in the garden where the grenade is said to have hit.

The veteran, who was injured several times in World War II, said he was able to save his old uniform jacket from the rubble.

It was "disgusting" to look at the war that Russia started against his country almost two and a half months ago, Lyssun said.

His house in the village of Zolochiv - almost 15 kilometers from the Russian border - is said to have been destroyed a few days ago.

Ukraine War News: Intensified attacks on Odessa - Two-day curfew decreed

Update from May 7, 4:41 p.m .:

According to Ukrainian information, at least four Russian rockets were fired at the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa.

Local media showed thick clouds of black smoke over the city area on Saturday.

According to reports, a military airfield was hit.

The authorities initially gave no information on possible victims.

There was no confirmation from the Russian side in the afternoon.

The information could not initially be verified independently.

In the city of Odessa, which is close to the front, there will also be a curfew from Sunday evening.

Ukraine fears increased attacks due to the approaching celebrations in Russia on May 9

Explosions - some from anti-aircraft defenses - were also reported from neighboring Mykolayiv Oblast, central Ukrainian Poltava and western Ukrainian Khmelnytskyi.

At least one person was injured in an airstrike in the north-eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy.

Ukraine War: Attacks also come from the Black Sea.

(Archive image) © Ukrainian Military/DPA

Ukraine War News: Ukrainian military reports sinking of Russian landing craft

Update from May 7, 3:05 p.m .:

The Ukrainian military says it has sunk a landing craft from the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

"An enemy Serna-type landing craft was destroyed in the waters of the Black Sea," said the press chief of the Odessa military administration Serhiy Brachuk on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

He also published a video that is supposed to show the ship being shot at with a drone.

The authenticity of the images could not be independently verified.

There was initially no reaction from the Russian side to the alleged incident.

Ukraine war news: According to pro-Russian separatists, more civilians were taken away from the steel plant in Mariupol

Update from May 7, 1:40 p.m .:

According to the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, another 50 civilians were taken away from the steel plant in Mariupol, which had been under siege for weeks.

"Today, May 7, 50 people were evacuated from the territory of the Azovstal metallurgical combine in Mariupol," the staff of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Saturday on its Telegram channel.

So far, there has been no confirmation from the Ukrainian side or from an independent source.

The separatists also gave no information about where the civilians were taken to.

Ukraine War News: Sanctions allegedly make it more difficult for Moscow to replace military equipment

Update from May 7, 12:34 p.m .:

According to British intelligence, Western sanctions make it difficult for Moscow to replace damaged military equipment.

Russia's most capable and advanced units and weapons suffered significant damage in Ukraine, the UK Defense Ministry said in an update on Saturday.

For example, at least one T-90M tank, one of Russia's most modern tanks, was destroyed in combat.

It will take considerable sums of money and time to restore the strength of the Russian troops after the war, sources in London said.

In addition, the current sanctions would make it more difficult to obtain replacements because they would limit Russia's access to important microelectronics.

You can read reactions from Germany to the Ukraine war in this news ticker.

Ukraine War: Military reconnaissance and artillery shelling

Update from May 7, 8:20 a.m.:

According to Ukrainian information, it was relatively quiet at the front last night.

"On May 6, eight enemy attacks were repelled in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, destroying three enemy tanks, eight artillery systems, seven military armored vehicles, one car and three units of engineering equipment," the Ukrainian General Staff said in its situation report on Saturday With.

There have been storm attempts primarily around the Azovstal steelworks.

According to the report, Russian activity on other front sections, which had been heavily contested in recent weeks, was primarily limited to military reconnaissance and artillery shelling.

For example, in the Izyum region, from where Russia is planning a major advance towards Kramatorsk to encircle the Ukrainian units in the Donbass, drones were used to identify the defensive positions.

The city of Kharkov and the towns in front of Donetsk were targets of artillery attacks.

The Russian Air Force was also in action.

Ground attacks, however, were not reported.

This information could not be verified independently.

On May 5, youths crossed a bridge near Orikhiv on their bicycles that had been destroyed by shelling.

© Evgeniy Maloletka/dpa

You can read more current news on the negotiations in the Ukraine war in this news ticker.

Ukraine war: Moscow's Victory Day is imminent - Selenskyj urges caution

Update from May 7, 6:47 a.m .:

In Ukraine, fear of increased Russian airstrikes in connection with the upcoming Moscow Victory Day is growing.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called for caution and discipline.

"I ask all our citizens - and especially these days - not to ignore the air alert," Zelenskyy said in his video address on Friday.

"Please, this is your life, the life of your children." In cities close to the front, such as Odessa, a curfew is to apply for two days.

Russia celebrates the Soviet victory over Hitler's Germany in World War II on Monday, May 9th.

President Putin will speak at the traditional military parade in Moscow.

He is expected to set the course for the war of aggression against Ukraine.

As early as the weekend, the Ukrainians should strictly follow the orders of the authorities - and adhere to local curfews, Zelenskyj warned.

In Odessa, people have to stay at home from 10 p.m. local time on Sunday evening until 5 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning.

There will be no curfew in the capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced.

But he also advised people to stay at home.

"There is a high probability of rocket fire in all regions of Ukraine in the coming days," he warned.

Update from May 6, 10:45 p.m .:

According to Ukrainian information, Russian troops are desperately trying to take the Ukrainian city of Sievjerodonetsk in the Luhansk Oblast in order to be able to announce a “great victory”.

"Of course they want Sieverodonetsk because it's a regional center and it can be sold as a big victory," said the head of the Luhansk military administration, Serhiy Hadai, as quoted by the US broadcaster CNN.

According to Hadai, the Russian military wanted to surround Ukrainian troops and cut off the route to Bakhmut and Popasna.

The Ukrainian official also denied Russian reports that the city of Rubens had been taken.

Ukraine war: US cannot confirm reports on Russian frigate

Update May 6, 9 p.m.:

After Ukrainian media reported that the Russian Admiral Makarov frigate was fired upon by Neptun anti-ship missiles, the US said it could not confirm the reports.

"We've been looking at it all day, but we don't have any information to corroborate these reports," said US Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby.

In addition, Kirby said more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers have completed training on US-supplied M777 howitzers.

Another 150 soldiers are currently in training.

The training is taking place outside of Ukraine, the Pentagon spokesman said.

War in Ukraine: Apparently more civilians freed from Azovstal - different numbers

Update from May 6, 8:15 p.m .:

According to Russian news agencies, several dozen civilians were rescued on Friday from the besieged Azovstal steelworks in the Ukrainian port of Mariupol.

By the evening, two groups of people had been evacuated by bus, the state agencies Tass and Ria Nowosti reported, citing their correspondents.

Tass spoke of a total of 35 people, Ria Nowosti of 25. The information could not be independently verified.

There was initially no confirmation from the Ukrainian and international side.

Ukraine war: New prisoner swap - 41 people released by Russia

Update from May 6, 6 p.m.:

According to Ukrainian information, Russia released 41 people, including eleven women, as part of another prisoner exchange.

28 soldiers and 13 civilians were released, said the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk in the messenger service Telegram.

A Ukrainian Orthodox clergyman was among those released.

Vereshchuk did not provide any information on the number of prisoners handed over to Russia.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, Kyiv and Moscow have made several prisoner exchanges.

A week ago, 14 Ukrainians were released in a prisoner exchange, including a pregnant woman.

Ukraine war: Ukrainian politician announces - "Admiral Makarov punished by the god of the sea"

Update from May 6, 5:40 p.m.:

Ukrainian MP Aleksey Gonsharenko announced on Telegram that the Russian frigate “Admiral Makarov” was “punished by the god of the sea”.

He is referring to reports by Ukrainian media that the Russian frigate was fired on by Ukrainian "Neptune" anti-ship missiles near Snake Island in the Black Sea and caught fire.

So far, the information could not be independently verified.

An American Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk drone with the call sign "FORTE11" has been circling the area for a long time, as

shows.

War in Ukraine: Russian troops attack Sievjerodonetsk - Ukrainian military repels

Update from May 6, 5:25 p.m .:

According to Ukrainian information, Russian troops want to surround and storm the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievjerodonetsk.

"The city is almost completely surrounded by the troops of the separatist Luhansk People's Republic," said the head of the Sierodonetsk military administration, Alexander Striuk, on Ukrainian television.

The pro-Russian separatists would attempt to storm the city through nearby villages.

According to Striuk, fighting is currently ongoing in the northern villages of the city.

The Ukrainian army has so far managed to repel the attacks,

quoted the Ukrainian official as saying.

Ukraine war: Russian landing operation in Odessa?

- New warning from the Ukrainian military

Update from May 6, 4:25 p.m .:

The Ukrainian military warns of possible landing operations on the Black Sea coast near Odessa.

In the past few days, more and more Russian reconnaissance drones have been registered in the region, according to Kyiv.

Russia had recently announced that it wanted to conquer southern Ukraine as far as Transnistria.

Transnistria is a breakaway republic in neighboring Moldova.

While Moldova (around 2.6 million inhabitants) faces the West, a pro-Russian regime is in power in the internationally unrecognized region around Tiraspol.

In addition, the 14th Russian Guards Army is stationed in the north of Transnistria.

"Control of southern Ukraine is another route to Transnistria, where there is also evidence of oppression of the Russian-speaking population," deputy commander of the Central Military District troops Rustam Minnekayev recently told Russian news agencies.

Russia recently made no secret of wanting to occupy a land corridor from Transnistria via Odessa to Crimea. 

Russia-Ukraine War: Around 500 civilians evacuated from Mariupol steel mill

Update from May 6, 4:05 p.m .:

 According to Ukrainian information, a total of 500 civilians have been brought to safety in the past few days from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which has been besieged by Russian troops for two months, and the steel plant there.

Another UN convoy for evacuations was expected for Friday.

According to Ukrainian sources, the Russian attacks in Mariupol continued.

In recent days, however, UN-led operations have "succeeded in evacuating almost 500 civilians," said the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, on Friday.

The operations should therefore continue.

"Today we are concentrating on the Azov steel plant," said Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv expects Russian offensive to intensify

Update from May 6, 3:50 p.m.: According to

,  Kiev expects 

 an intensification of the Russian offensive in the eastern Luhansk region.

The governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, said that the Russian armed forces would make every effort in the next three to four days to break through to either Sievierodonetsk or Popasna.

They are two cities controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Russia-Ukraine War: Car allegedly shot at during evacuation from Mariupol

Update from May 6, 3:40 p.m .:

New allegations against Russia in the Ukraine war: The authorities in Mariupol accuse the Russian armed forces of violating a ceasefire for evacuations from the besieged Azovstal steel plant.

Accordingly, a car was shot at, which was therefore involved in the evacuation measures.

One Ukrainian fighter is said to have been killed and six others injured.

The information could not be independently verified.

First report from May 6th:

Munich/Odessa - The sinking of the "Moskva" is still being disputed.

But meanwhile, according to Ukrainian information, the next Russian warship has already been severely damaged.

However, there is no official confirmation from Moscow.

Russia-Ukraine War: Allegedly Russian frigate shot on fire in the Black Sea - all news up to date

Illia Ponomarenko, a reporter for Ukraine's media project

, tweeted: "According to unconfirmed reports from Odessa, a Russian Krivak-class frigate is burning in the Black Sea near Snake Island after being hit by a Ukrainian Neptun missile.

Meanwhile, an RQ-4B Global Hawk from the US Air Force is monitoring the region.” The ship types designated by NATO as the Kriwak class are roughly medium-sized warships, armed with four naval guns, anti-aircraft missiles and four torpedo tubes, among other things. 

War in Ukraine: Kyiv fears landing operation near Odessa on Black Sea coast

However, the Ukrainian military believes a Russian landing operation on the Black Sea coast near the port city of Odessa is possible.

According to a statement from the regional military leadership, Russian reconnaissance drones are increasingly flying over the area, the newspaper

reported .

Did the Ukrainian armed forces strike back yet again?

But the sinking of the "Moskva" continues to raise questions.

In Russia's conflict with Ukraine, Moscow had claimed that the flagship of its Black Sea fleet caught fire in a munitions explosion and then sank.

Kyiv, on the other hand, said that the Ukrainian armed forces set fire to the missile cruiser with anti-ship missiles of the Neptune type and sank it.

What the Americans confirmed as observers.

On Friday (May 6), the father of a Russian marine posted the alleged reply from the military prosecutor's office to him as a survivor on the social network Vkontakte.

According to this, the "Moskva" did not take part in the fighting around Snake Island off the Ukrainian coast.

He made serious allegations.

Dreaded weapon of Ukraine: the Neptun missile system for defense against sea targets.

© IMAGO / NurPhoto

Follow the most important developments in the military battles in the Russia-Ukraine war here in the news ticker.