MARIUPOL, UKRAINE

Mariupol is one of a number of Ukrainian cities that has been targeted by Russian bombings since the invasion. The port city is a vital target in Putin’s strategy. From a military perspective, control over Mariupol would allow Russia to build a connection to its forces in Crimea, and economically, would cut off Ukraine’s key export hub of coal, steel and corn.

Satellite images released by US satellite company, Maxar Technologies, have shown the scale of the destruction in Mariupol since it has been under attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia had committed “war crimes”.

According to Mariupol deputy mayor Sergei Orlov, 90 per cent of the city’s infrastructure has been destroyed and over 2,000 civilian casualties have been reported, leaving hundreds of thousands more without food, water and power.

“Russia has unleashed severe bombardment on the city, dropping up to 100 bombs a day,” said Orlov in a press conference. “The city is being destroyed just as in Hiroshima, but not in one go – it’s slow and excruciating.”

Other targeted cities, such as Kharkiv and Kyiv, have also suffered widespread damage, with hundreds of homes plus apartment buildings and schools reduced to rubble.

Residents in Kharkiv, who emerged from bomb shelters to stock up on supplies after heavy shelling, expressed outrage at the attacks on civilians. “Our houses were bombed ... us and our children,” said one woman. “We cannot even buy bread.”

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A couple crosses a destroyed bridge during the evacuation by civilians of the city of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv. mindfood.com/civilians-inperil