Strategic city of Mariupol wakes to blasts as Russia invades Ukraine
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[February 24, 2022]
By Aleksandar Vasovic
MARIUPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) - People in the
southeastern city of Mariupol woke to the sound of explosions on
Thursday and some started packing bags to leave after Russia invaded
Ukraine.
Mariupol, eastern Ukraine's main port, was not attacked as the invasion
began. But residents fear it could become a target for Russia as it is
strategically important and only about 10 km (six miles) from areas
controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
Despite blasts from the direction of its easternmost suburbs, some
people tried at first to stick to their daily routine. Mariupol's steel
mills - important for Ukrainian exports - opened, and anglers sat along
the Kalmius River that runs through the city of about half a million.
But it became clear that many shops were not opening and some people
packed their belongings into cars to flee the city.
"We are going into hiding," said one middle-aged woman.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Feb/24/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
Another resident, 17-year-old Yulia, said via the messaging app
Telegram: "We have a shelter in our house but I don't know whether it's
big enough and whether it is that safe."
Pro-Russian separatists did not attack Mariupol when they seized swathes
of eastern Ukraine in a conflict that began in 2014.
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![](../images/022422PIX/news_p29.jpg)
A Ukrainian rocket launcher vehicle drives west of the coastal city
of Mariupol, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a
military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Mariupol, February 24,
2022. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/May/02/images/ads/current/guzzardo_lda022609.png) Capturing it now would let Moscow
link Russian-controlled Crimea over land to the separatist enclaves
and secure complete control over the coast of the Sea of Azov,
increasing economic pressure on Ukraine's government.
A 19-year-old woman in Mariupol who gave her name only as Ira said
that after the morning explosions it was "quiet for the present. All
(electronic) communications are working."
West of the city, Reuters witnesses saw a cloud of smoke billowing
from a fire in a military installation.
A Ukrainian armoured column thundered along a road outside Mariupol.
Soldiers on tanks showed victory signs to passing cars which honked
their horns in support.
Further along the road, in the towns of Mangush and Berdyansk by the
Sea of Azov, cars queued at petrol stations, and people stood in
line at cash machines.
Ukrainian missile launchers could be seen beside roads in the area.
(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing
by Janet Lawrence)
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