Para los Rusos Melitopol es crucial
The southern city of Melitopol is a key part of Moscow’s push in Ukraine.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/13/world/russia-ukraine-news/the-southern-city-of-melitopol-is-a-key-part-of-moscows-push-in-ukraine?smid=url-share
KYIV, Ukraine — The importance of Melitopol is no secret. It was one of the first cities that Russian forces seized early in the war, and it has been central to their strategy.
After Russian forces were routed in northeastern Ukraine and forced to retreat from the southern port city of Kherson, they tried to fortify positions on the stretch of land that runs to the Crimean Peninsula from Russia — the Kremlin’s coveted “land bridge.” They have paid special attention to Melitopol, which is at the crossroads of two major highways and a vital rail line.
Natalia, a retiree who lives in Melitopol, said she started to see a large influx of Russian soldiers in the southern city in late November. They took over schools, she said, and she saw Russian soldiers moving in weapons and heavy artillery to positions in and around the city.
“So many of them everywhere,” said Natalia, who asked that her family name be withheld out of concern for her safety.
Natalia also has a house outside the city and said she had watched as Russian planes and helicopters flew so low over the area that she could see “Z” painted on them, referring to the letter that has become a symbol of support for the invasion.
“I have a headache from this constant noise,” she said.
In early December, Russian forces nearly closed all access in and out of the city, said Ivan Fedorov, the city’s exiled mayor.
In a hunt for partisans — guerrilla fighters and others working for the Ukrainian war effort — Russian forces have set up several roadblocks and are searching cars and people, Mr. Fedorov said.
After each explosion, Mr. Federov said, Russian forces go house to house. If they found any Ukrainian symbols or weapons, even hunting ones, people were taken for questioning or held, he said.
Many prisoners, he said, are now being forced to help dig trenches around Melitopol.
