Russia Claims , to Have Taken Control , of Ukraine's Mariupol.<br />On April 21, Russian officials claimed <br />that the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol <br />has come under their control. .<br />On April 21, Russian officials claimed <br />that the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol <br />has come under their control. .<br />Yahoo reports that Russian forces have been attempting to capture the city for eight weeks, since the invasion began on February 24.<br />In that time, much of the city has reportedly, been reduced to rubble, by Russian bombardment.<br />Mariupol has been liberated by <br />the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation <br />and the forces of the People's Militia <br />of the Donetsk People's Republic, Sergei Shoigu, Kremlin Defense Minister, via Yahoo.<br />Mariupol has been liberated by <br />the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation <br />and the forces of the People's Militia <br />of the Donetsk People's Republic, Sergei Shoigu, Kremlin Defense Minister, via Yahoo.<br />During a televised address, Kremlin Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that approximately 2,000 Ukrainian troops were continuing to defend the massive Azovstal steel plant.<br />During a televised address, Kremlin Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that approximately 2,000 Ukrainian troops were continuing to defend the massive Azovstal steel plant.<br />On April 20, an advisor to Mariupol's mayor said that <br />there were 1,000 civilians sheltering inside the steel <br />facility, believed to be the final stronghold of the city. .<br />On April 20, an advisor to Mariupol's mayor said that <br />there were 1,000 civilians sheltering inside the steel <br />facility, believed to be the final stronghold of the city. .<br />Yahoo reports that at least tens of thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed in Mariupol since the invasion began.<br />Yahoo reports that at least tens of thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed in Mariupol since the invasion began.<br />The New York Times reports that three-quarters of Mariupol’s population of 450,000 residents have already fled to neighboring countries.<br />As estimated five million <br />Ukrainians have been C<br />forced to flee their homes. .<br />If captured, Mariupol would be the largest <br />city to fall to Russian forces since <br />the invasion began eight weeks ago.<br />If captured, Mariupol would be the largest <br />city to fall to Russian forces since <br />the invasion began eight weeks ago.<br />According to Yahoo, the capture of Mariupol would <br />give Russia control of 80% of Ukraine's Black Sea <br />coastline effectively isolating it from maritime trade.<br />According to Yahoo, the capture of Mariupol would <br />give Russia control of 80% of Ukraine's Black Sea <br />coastline effectively isolating it from maritime trade
