There are now about 160 thousand civilians in Mariupol blocked by russian occupiers, they are begging for the salvation. Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko announced this at a live broadcast in the UAtogether telethon, - Ukrinform reports.
"Sadly, there are quite many civilians left in the besieged city of Mariupol. According to our estimates, about 160 thousand people are staying in Mariupol, which is not suitable for living now, as there are no water, no electricity, no heat, no communications. It is really horrible. The humiliation that every Mariupol resident is facing today due to the Russian occupation is impossible to express in words", - the mayor stated.
In his words, it is necessary to evacuate Mariupol residents, and hope for this is not fading.
"We are living with this hope… Now, for example, 26 buses are waiting to go to Mariupol for evacuation purposes but, unfortunately, today no decision has been taken for them to move… Under fire, our heroic drivers are attempting to get to the places, where Mariupol residents might be waiting, and they are waiting with the hope that they will have such an opportunity. But, not everything is in our power. Sadly, we are now in the hands of these occupiers here", - Boychenko stressed.
As many Ukrainians, Boichenko also expressed hope that European friends and partners would help to organize the evacuation of civilians from the city destroyed by the aggressor.
"Today, like tens of thousands of Mariupol residents, I am waiting with hope that such a decision will be possible... We quite rely on our international partners, their firmness, their convictions and words of love. And of course, we cannot let go of this hope... We really hope that the presidents of France and Turkey will still get through, and a stable "green corridor" will be opened for us, and we will take away those people who want to return to the controlled territory of Ukraine, they ask and beg for it", - the city head stated.
As reported, the russian aggression has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol. The occupiers are bombarding unarmed civilians and blocking humanitarian aid.