Mariupol under attack: City at the mercy of Russia

The Ukrainian city of Mariupol is falling slowly to the mercy of Russian forces

Officials in Ukraine say Russian forces have captured a Mariupol hospital and taken patients and staff hostage in the besieged city., as the crisis worsens.

The Donetsk regional governor says that Russian forces have been holding over 400 people, including patients and doctors, hostage in the basement of an intensive care hospital in Mariupol.  

Pavlo Kyrylenko said the hospital had been bombed – however staff working there have continued to treat patients in the basement.

The revelation by the governor comes days after a deadly attack on a maternity and children’s hospital in the city, which sent shock waves throughout the world.

An estimated 20,000 civilians have fled the troubled city via a humanitarian corridor

Residents on the ground have told reporters that conditions in Mariupol are “unbearable” and “just hell,”

Those lucky to have escaped have spoken to CNN expressing their shock at the devastation on their city.

Mariupol has been one of the hardest hit cities in Ukraine, with reports that Russian forces had blocked civilians from escaping.

Those residing in the city during the invasion have reported no electricity, water and low food levels.