Ukraine War: Why is Mariupol so important to Russian forces?

Professor Michael Clarke talks to Sky News about the south eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol and why it's of important interest to Russian forces.

[Merry]

Ok so let me get this straight. A city the size of Mosul with almost 500 000 inhabitants, which the Azov battalion together with 10th Assault brigade, 56th Motorized Brigade, 36th Marine brigade, 12th operational brigade, territorial defense and NATO instructors prepared to fortify and defend for the last 8 years, was supposed to fall in the first few hours? I understand there is a propaganda war going on but cmon man.

[john_smith_john]

I already know why it's important but Michael Clarke is such a treat that I'll hear it explained again anyways

[johnralston]

Prof Clarke needs more air time as he is so good at explaining a complex issue.

[singlendhot]

Please give Michael Clarke his own segment! HE's the best analyst on Television globally at the moment! And this is coming from an American in Britain!

[Gav_]

Please post Michael Clarke's FULL interviews not just these little snippets.

Caught one on the live stream once, it was really great.

[ivanpalyamite]

Greetings from Ukraine 🇺🇦 and thanks for support all civilization world.

[shedracklawrence]

It's unbelievable what people there have gone through 😢

[TheGeeoff]

I'm glad they're doing more interviews with this guy.

[FredomAction]

Prayers for defenders of Mariupol!!
These guys are just amazing, holding the defense for 40 days compeletly encircled💙💛🙏🙏🙏

[PKPKPK]

I think the word tragic is a better choice than monumental

[kevinomahoney]

The statement about the first few hours of the invasion is being taken out of context; it wasn’t that the Russians believed that Mariupol would fall quickly, they believed that all of Ukraine would just show its belly without a fight. This is a lot different from Crimea, where a much higher fraction of the residents identify as Russians.

So much of this battle for Mariupol reminds me of Stalingrad. An industrial area has been reduced to rubble, which in turn denies the area to tanks and gives a steep advantage to the defenders. If Ukraine could reinforce the defenders, this could go on indefinitely.

[MrShadyfourfive]

According to Putin's plan, Mariupol should have fallen in hours. I didn't know Putin sent his battle plan to Sky News and Mr Clarke

[LeesTexan]

Brave Ukrainian Defenders of Mariupol fighting like the 300 Spartans buying time for the rest of the Ukraine Army!

[johnbannon]

MY HEART IS....BLEEDING!!! for the Ukrainian people! I live in Canada and have offered to open up MY HOME to any one that needs it! Mi Casa es su Casa!!! Ukraine!! John Bannon PEI Canada

[IK-ftql]

Professor Michael Clarke is blunt and good at explaining the war. Like him

[islamictubebd-itb]

Michael Clarke love from Bangladesh ❤️

[davidrobbinssr]

Spartan creed “I will not quit in the middle of a struggle” As long as Mirupol holds the Russians can’t link Crimeri to Donbas. I wouldn’t count out the Ukrainians just yet. They’re beaten the odds so far

[angomgunindrosingh]

3000 plus Azov Battalion cadres, it's amazing how they survive for so long without fresh supply from outside.

[paulgerald]

Armored units are committed to the roads . In the fields and off roads, the Armored vehicles would bog down and get stuck .

[daminlong]

It never got cold enough for the ground to freeze really hard for the Russian tanks to drive across.