Russians bomb operating room in field hospital at Azovstal: casualties reported

In Mariupol, Russian aggressors bombarded an operating room in a military field hospital located on the premises of the Azovstal metallurgical plant, the last stronghold of the Ukrainian defenders in the area. The Geneva Convention guarantees protection of inpatient and mobile medical institutions.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Telegram by soldiers of the Azov Regiment.

"WARNING!!! Throughout the night, the Russians dropped tonnes worth of air bombs, capable of penetrating any concrete defensive structures, on a military field hospital located on the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and where the wounded defenders are treated. Then, having already destroyed the site, they continued to mercilessly shell the ruins with naval artillery… Due to the enemy attack, part of the building collapsed – in particular the operating room, which makes it impossible to help our soldiers," the statement said.

It is noted that some of the earlier wounded servicemen were killed in the strike, some other soldiers were wounded and injured.

Azov fighters stressed that the Geneva Convention guarantees protection of inpatient and mobile medical institutions, which must not be attacked by warring parties.

"The wounded and sick are entitled to protection regardless of whether they are civilians or military (combatants). The wounded should be provided with the necessary assistance without any discrimination," the Azov unit notes.

The fighters called on international rights organizations to respond to the fact that "Russia continues to try to destroy even those defenders of Mariupol who can no longer wield weapons."

The Azov fighters posted a video, shot in the immediate aftermath of the air strike. The footage shows survivors digging out from under the rubble the bodies of soldiers who had earlier been wounded and held in the field hospital, as well as providing first aid to those who lived through the attack.

As reported earlier, about 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen, including about 500 wounded, remain in the premises of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol. Ukrainian authorities are demanding that the Russians provide an urgent humanitarian corridor out of the plant.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the storming of the Azovstal industrial zone “inexpedient,” ordering that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu block all exits from the area rather than keep trying to storm it.

Russia's aggression has caused one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol. The invaders are bombing unarmed residents and blocking humanitarian aid.