On April 13, Turkish Anadolu news agency correspondent Leon Klein visited areas of Mariupol seized by the Russian military.

He saw the destruction of houses, destroyed cars and the bodies of dead people on the streets. The photos also show residents who remained in the city, mostly elderly people.

Mariupol has been under siege by Russian troops since early March, with some areas of the city already occupied by Russian troops. The Russians have repeatedly categorically refused to organize humanitarian corridors from the city with the possibility of removing civilians by bus, so people left the city by private vehicles to Zaporozhye or walked towards Berdyansk.

According to city officials, the Russian attack could have killed 22,000 Mariupol residents, and the exact number of victims is unknown. About 432,000 people lived in the city before the Russian attack.

Ukrainian soldiers from the Azov Regiment and Marines remain in Mariupol and resist. Russia has repeatedly asked them to lay down their arms.

President Zelensky warned on April 16 that Russia’s attempt to destroy the Ukrainian troops left in the city would put an end to peace talks.

“Mariupol can be like ten Bearded women, and I want to say that the destruction of our military and our guys will put an end to all negotiations,” Zelensky said.

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