Violence in Mariupol: Russia fears resistance from the population

Created: 05/19/2022, 14:04

By: Vincent Bussow

War in Ukraine: According to US intelligence information, Russia is concerned that acts of violence in Mariupol could result in popular discontent.

(Archive image) © dpa

The Ukraine war is also a battle of narratives.

According to US intelligence, Russia is now worried about its reputation -- particularly in Mariupol.

Kyiv – Russia is apparently worried about the public impact of acts of violence in Mariupol.

This emerges from US intelligence information first reported by the Associated Press.

Those responsible from Russia therefore fear that their narrative could be challenged and that the mood in the Ukrainian port city could continue to turn against them.

The city of Mariupol is located in the Donetsk region, which according to the Russian account must be liberated from Ukraine's Nazi regime.

However, this narrative hardly corresponds to reports of acts of violence and war crimes that repeatedly come from occupied territories.

According to US intelligence information, those responsible in Russia have also recognized this.

Their concerns go so far that resistance from the Ukrainian population in Mariupol is feared, as the Associated Press reports.

Ukraine war: Russia worries about violence in Mariupol

Torture by beatings and electric shocks are among the violent crimes reported.

In addition, the troops from Russia are said to have robbed houses in Mariupol.

The exact extent of the violence the US has learned of is unclear.

Russia had previously drawn attention to the city with airstrikes on a theater and a hospital.

Hundreds of people had died.

War crimes in the Ukraine conflict: Putin awards soldiers from Bucha

The realization that such acts of violence in the Ukraine conflict could have negative consequences for the attackers comes somewhat late for Russia.

Back in April, after it became known that Russian soldiers had cruelly killed civilians in the city of Bucha, the UN found "signs of war crimes" in an investigation.

Recently, the first Russian soldier in Ukraine pleaded guilty to shooting a civilian.

It remains to be seen whether Russia will now deal differently with soldiers accused of war crimes in the Ukraine war due to the concerns.

Only recently, Vladimir Putin honored the Bucha brigade.

The soldiers had shown "determination and courage," said the president.

"The skilful and resolute action of the entire staff (of the brigade) during the military special operation in Ukraine" is "a model for the execution of military duties." (vbu)