Thread by @billroggio

1) The situation in Mariupol is grim. From @nytimes: "Street battles broke out in Mariupol ... as Russian troops and allied irregular forces moved into the city ..."
nytimes.com/live/2022/03/1…

2) "Residents who fled the city in recent days have described scenes of dead bodies dotting the streets, widespread looting and the suffering endured by thousands who remain trapped without heat or water."

3) "Ukrainian government reported that its forces were outgunned, that attempts to provide air support had failed and that it had “temporarily” lost contact with the city’s officials."

4) "A recently evacuated resident said friends and family who had remained in the city told her the Russian flag was already flying in some districts, and that there were tanks and non-Ukrainian soldiers on the streets."

5) "Sounding a note of resignation, an adviser to the Ukrainian president said on Friday, 'There is no chance for lifting the siege of Mariupol.'"

6) Clearly Russian troops have broken through the Ukrainian's defensive line, are occupying some districts in the city, and are attempting to defeat the remaining forces there.

7) The neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, which is part of the Ukrainian National Guard, is fighting there & has a headquarters in the city. Expect the Russians to give the Azov Battalion no quarter. This may prolong the fight & lead to greater civilian suffering. frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/ukr…