The siege of Mariupol began in February 2022, shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. The city, situated on the Sea of Azov, became a focal point for intense combat due to its strategic importance as a port and industrial center. For nearly three months, Ukrainian defenders, including members of the Azov Regiment, held out against overwhelming Russian forces, which employed heavy artillery, aerial bombardments, and ground troops to encircle and assault the city. The humanitarian situation in Mariupol deteriorated severely, with shortages of food, water, and medical supplies reported as civilians sought shelter amidst relentless shelling.

By May 20, 2022, after a series of intense confrontations and suffering immense casualties, the Ukrainian military announced the decision to withdraw its remaining forces from the besieged Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold in the city. Following this, Russian officials declared that they had taken full control of Mariupol, asserting a significant victory in their campaign. The fall of Mariupol was viewed as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, allowing Russian forces to create a land corridor between the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, and other territories in eastern Ukraine.

In the aftermath, the city lay in ruins, and images of Mariupol’s devastation surfaced globally, highlighting the humanitarian crisis facing the Ukrainian population. Thousands of civilians had been killed during the siege, and many others had been displaced. The occupation of Mariupol also raised questions about future Ukrainian resistance and the potential for Russian advances in the Donbas region as the war continued, marking a critical juncture in both military strategy and international relations surrounding Ukraine's sovereignty.