Officials in Mariupol believe that the recent Russian strike on a theatre where people took shelter may have claimed at least 300 lives. Here’s more on the issue.
Mariupol: Latest attack kills 300 women and children
Mariupol is a strategic port city in Ukraine. The Russian forces have been attacking various civilian zones in the Ukrainian city. According to Ukrainian officials, they are fearing around 300 deaths from the attack on the theatre. Several women and children were taking shelter there. “From eyewitnesses, information is emerging that about 300 people died in the Drama Theatre of Mariupol following strikes by a Russian aircraft,” wrote the City Hall on Telegram.
Additionally, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that following last week’s strikes, hundreds of people had taken shelter in the building. City officials on Friday confirmed that the attack destroying the theatre was a ‘cynical’ one. They also stated that Russia was aware of civilians taking shelter inside the theatre. A satellite image from earlier this week shows a huge building with red food. The word ‘DETI’ is painted in large white letters on the road in front and behind the building. Deti means Children in Russian.
Russian forces continue the attack
On the other hand, the leader of Chechnya stated that on Thursday the forces from his region took control of the port city. They were also seen rising the Russian flag in the city hall. Chechnya is a Russian republic in the south. The city is suffering from the Russian military’s relentless shelling. As per the estimates by the city council, 30,000 people were successful in fleeing from the city.
However, around 350,000 people are still in the city. So far, the physical damage on Mariupol is enormous. According to a report, around 80 percent of the homes in the city are destroyed. Among them, 30 percent are not repairable. President Zelensky also added that around 100,00 people are without food, power, and water. They are also facing fierce shelling from the Russian military and have no way of escaping.
