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The **siege of Mariupol** was a siege in [Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine) during the [2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine), when forces from [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia) and the separatist [Donetsk People’s Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donetsk_People%27s_Republic) engaged Ukrainian forces in the city of [Mariupol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariupol). The battle, which was part of the Russian [eastern Ukraine offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Ukraine_offensive) and [southern Ukraine offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ukraine_offensive), started on 24 February 2022 and concluded on 20 May 2022, when Russia announced the remaining [Ukrainian forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azov_Regiment) in Mariupol surrendered[[39]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-531Azovstal-43) after they were ordered to cease fighting.[[40]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-44)

[Mariupol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariupol) is located in [Donetsk Oblast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donetsk_Oblast), Ukraine, and is controlled by the Russian-backed separatist [Donetsk People’s Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donetsk_People%27s_Republic). Russian forces completely besieged the city on 2 March, after which they gradually gained control of the city.[[41]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-trapped-45) By 22 April, the remaining Ukrainian forces had retreated to the [Azovstal Iron and Steel Works](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azovstal_iron_and_steel_works), a massive and highly defensible industrial complex.[[42]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-22_April_analysis-46)[[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-rescue500-17)[[43]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-allurban-47)

The [Red Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cross) described the situation as “apocalyptic”, and Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of engineering a major [humanitarian crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_crisis) in the city,[[44]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-48)[[45]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-49) with city officials reporting that about 22,000 civilians had been killed.[[46]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-50) Ukrainian officials also reported that at least 95% of the city had been destroyed during the fighting, largely by Russian bombardments.[[47]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-hasn’t_surrendered-51) [The United Nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_United_Nations) stated it had confirmed the deaths of 1,348 civilians, but said the true death toll was “likely thousands higher”, and added that 90% of the city’s residential buildings had been damaged or destroyed.[[32]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-1300civilians1-36)[[33]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-1300civilians2-37)[[34]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-1300civilians3-38)

The siege ended on 16 May 2022, after what media outlets called the “evacuation” or “surrender” of the remaining Azov Regiment personnel from the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works; the [Russian Ministry of Defense](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Defence_of_the_Russian_Federation) stated that the Ukrainians had “surrendered”,[[48]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-52)[[49]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-53)[[50]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-54)[[51]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-55)[[52]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-56) a word Ukraine avoided using.[[53]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-57)

Some Western reports called the battle a “[pyrrhic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory)”[[54]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-58)[[55]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-59) or “symbolic”[[56]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-60) Russian victory and an overall “reputational disaster” for Russia.[[57]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-WaPro518-61) Others considered it a significant defeat for Ukraine.[[58]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mariupol#cite_note-62)