Russia uses port in Mariupol for the first time to deploy armoured vehicles

For the first time, the Russians used the port in Mariupol to deliver military cargo. Illustration: Petro Andriushchenko

For the first time, Russians have used a port in temporarily occupied Mariupol to transfer military cargo. The Ukrainian side has recorded that armoured vehicles were taken out of the port and then headed to Zaporizhzhia region.

This was reported by the head of the Centre for Occupation Studies Petro Andriushchenko.

It is noted that from 22:30 to 05:00, the Russians completely blocked the traffic along Prymorskyi Boulevard and Lunina Avenue to Lunina Square on both sides. Russians were allowed to pass only if they had registration and residence permits.

At this time, armoured vehicles were being taken out of the port by military and «civilian» tractors — BMPs and tanks were spotted. The vehicles were probably heading towards Zaporizhzhia region.

«This is the first time we have seen the port being used as a military port during the occupation. The Russians are rebuilding their logistics because of the challenges they faced in Zaporizhzhia region. Now the importance of the port of Berdiansk will decrease, but the port of Mariupol will increase from a military point of view»," said Petro Andriushchenko.

As a reminder, Ukraine has lost a significant part of its port infrastructure as a result of Russian attacks. According to preliminary estimates, the restoration of the damaged facilities will cost at least one billion euros.