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Drone footage shows aftermath of Russian bombing in Mariupol as death toll 'hits 10,000'

Shocking drone footage has laid bare the destruction wreaked on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, as the mayor said the death toll has reached 10,000.

The southern city has been the victim of a major Russian campaign to seize control, and more than six weeks into the invasion currently remains under Ukrainian control.

But on Monday, Ukrainian forces warned that their ammunition in the city is running out and that they will either be subject to "death" or "captivity".

The city has been besieged by Russian forces since the end of February, leaving residents with little to no access to food, water and electricity.

Mariupol city council officials claimed a Russian airstrike hit the Mariupol Drama Theatre where hundreds of people had been sheltering on 16 March.

A view of the Mariupol theater damaged during fighting in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov)
A view of the Mariupol theatre that was damaged during the fighting. (AP)
A view inside the Mariupol theater damaged during fighting in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov)
Inside Mariupol theatre. (AP)
Destruction at the Mariupol theatre. (AP)
Destruction at the Mariupol theatre. (AP)

Vladimir Putin’s forces bombed the makeshift shelter being used by up to 1,200 civilians – including sick children – in a deliberate attack, Ukrainian authorities claimed.

Footage of the aftermath shows the shell of the building left behind, completely still in the surrounding areas.

What was once a beacon for Ukraine's culture and talent for the arts has now been left a smoking ruin, hollowed out by the bombing attack.

The drone slowly flies over the theatre, showing the extent of the destruction which has left the building unusable.

Anger sparked by the alleged Russian attack – which Moscow has denied responsibility for – was magnified by satellite imagery taken of the building on Monday showing that the word ‘children’ painted in Russian on the grounds outside – in a possible sign to bombers not to target it.

(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)

The Kremlin says Russian forces have not targeted civilians after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.

On Monday Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said over 10,000 civilians have died in the Russian siege of his city, and that the death toll could surpass 20,000.

It was not clear how the mayor's office had calculated the toll from a month of Russian bombardment that has devastated the city and trapped tens of thousands of residents without power and with few supplies.

About 140,000 people had already fled Mariupol on the Sea of Azov before the Russian siege began and 150,000 have exited since then, leaving 170,000 still there, according to figures from the mayor's office, which Reuters could not independently verify.

On Monday, the 36th marine brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces said it had been defending Mariupol for 47 days from Russian attack.

In a statement posted on Facebook, it said: "Today will probably be the last battle, as the ammunition is running out.

(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)

"It’s death for some of us, and captivity for the rest.

"The mountain of wounded makes up almost half of the brigade. Those whose limbs are not torn off return to battle.

"The infantry was all killed and the shooting battles are now conducted by artillerymen, anti-aircraft gunners, radio operators, drivers and cooks. Even the orchestra."

The marines said they are doing "everything possible and impossible" to keep control of the city, but that they have been pinned down by the Russians.

The brigade said "the enemy gradually pushed us back" and "surrounded us with fire and is now trying to destroy us" in the city's port and iron and steel works.

The marines said there had been a lack of support from Ukraine's military leadership "because we've been written off".

Read more: Cambridge University fresher joining Ukraine frontline vows to carry on studying remotely

On Monday, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said tens of thousands of people had likely been killed in Mariupol.

Speaking via video link to South Korea's parliament, he said: "Mariupol has been destroyed, there are tens of thousands of dead, but even despite this, the Russians are not stopping their offensive."

The UK has expressed fears that Russian president Vladimir Putin’s forces could use white phosphorus (WP) munitions in the bombardment of Mariupol.

A British defence intelligence assessment said WP had already been used by Russia in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.