The importance of Mariupol

The importance of Mariupol

Given the flurry of news coming out of Mariupol this morning, it's worth considering why Russia considers the southern city so important, Qazet.az reports.

If Mariupol falls, it would give Russia control of one of Ukraine's biggest ports and create a land corridor between Crimea and the Russian-backed regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.

Connecting Crimea with mainland Russia via the rebel-held areas would make it much easier for Russia to move goods and people to and from Crimea. Russia has wanted this since 2014, when the conflict in the east began.