May 20 is a date etched in the hearts of every Ukrainian. Four years ago, in May 2022, on orders from the highest military command to save lives, the last defender of Mariupol left the territory of the Azovstal steel plant fortress. Eighty-six days of complete siege, superhuman efforts, and unbreakable resilience became one of the symbols of our identity.
As of mid-April, Mariupol’s housing stock and civilian infrastructure had been almost completely destroyed, and Ukrainian defenders, comprising the Azov Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard and the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, controlled only the territory of the Azovstal steel plant, the Port of Mariupol, and a narrow strip of land along the coast of the Sea of Azov in the city’s Primorsky district.
In late April, Russian occupiers intensified their offensive operations along the entire front line. The enemy focused its main efforts on breaking through our troops’ defenses in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol.
The Azovstal plant became the last line of defense for the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, holding the city’s defenses while drawing enemy forces toward them.
Fighters from the Azov Regiment made up the bulk of the plant’s garrison, which is why the Russians tried so fiercely to destroy its defenders by any means necessary. For 82 days, they rained the heaviest munitions down on Azovstal, destroying its sturdy walls, and organized a total blockade of the plant’s territory. Nevertheless, Ukrainian fighters continued to carry out their mission of drawing back and holding back the 20,000-strong Russian force to prevent the enemy from advancing toward Zaporizhzhia and reaching the borders of the Donetsk region. At the same time, Azovstal’s bunkers became a refuge for civilians as well.
Although Ukraine was unable to lift the siege of Mariupol by military means, several military missions were carried out by special forces. Reconnaissance helicopters broke through to the defenders surrounded at Azovstal, delivering ammunition, medical supplies, food, and water to the defenders and evacuating the wounded. The pilots carried out unique “suicide” flights under the threat of enemy air defense and fighter jets, fully aware of the enormous risk of casualties.
On April 17, 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Mariupol rejected the Russian ultimatum demanding unconditional surrender, after which Russian troops subjected the Azovstal area to massive bombing and artillery strikes, and on April 19, launched active assault operations.
By holding their positions, Ukrainian forces prevented the enemy from redeploying a force of up to 17 battalion tactical groups (approximately 20,000 personnel) to other directions. In doing so, they thwarted the plan to quickly capture Zaporizhzhia and advance to the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The evacuation from the plant began on May 16, 2022. Civilians were transported to territory controlled by Ukraine. Meanwhile, the soldiers, who had received orders from their command to lay down their arms to save their lives, were taken prisoner by the Russians.
The defense of Azovstal was held by: the Azov Special Forces Detachment, the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, border guards, police officers, volunteers, the Mariupol Territorial Defense, and employees of the Security Service of Ukraine.
Some of the Azovstal defenders were returned from captivity through an exchange, but some remain in Russian captivity. We have no right to grow weary until the last defender of Ukraine embraces his family on free Ukrainian soil.
We remember. We fight. We will bring them home.