Four years after the surrender of the last Ukrainian resistance focus in Marioupoli, the Brigade Azov declares that she remains committed to the goal of returning to the city she considers home. The unit, which was reconstructed and strengthened significantly after the defeat of 2022, is now actively involved in Ukrainian operations deep behind the Russian lines, hitting infrastructure and supply lines in the occupied territories.
The fall of Marioupoli in May 2022 was one of the most painful moments of the war on UkraineHundreds of Brigade fighters were killed or captured after the harsh siege of the city by Russian forces.
However, this battle turned this unit into a symbol of endurance for Ukrainian society and paved the way for its reconstruction into a greater and stronger force.
Today, Azov has re-turned her look at Marioupoli, its seaside city Azophic Sea which remains under Russian control.
Last week, Drones' First Azov Corps conducted an operation against the strategic port of Marioupoli. According to the Ukrainian army, the target was electrical substations, repair facilities and a ship under international sanctions.
The attack caused extensive power outage in the harbor. Reuters confirmed the geographic location of video segments published by the unit by the company.
Occupiers Have Lost the Ability to Use the Port of Mariupol
As a result of a joint operation produced by the First Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, the Special Operations Center... pic.twitter. com/BTi15pO3gP— First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine (@azov media) June 10, 2026
The raid is part of Ukraine's wider strategy to strike military and logistics infrastructure deep behind the front line, aimed at damaging the Russian war machine.
The Colonel Arsen Dmitrick, Chief of Staff of the First Azov Corps, said to Reuters that dozens of similar businesses will follow, which will highlight the operational capabilities, technology and design of the plant. He admitted, however, that the liberation of Marioupoli is a long-term objective.
"If it takes 20 years, we will spend 20 years planning and waiting. When the time comes, we have to be ready. I believe we'll return to Marioupoli. It's just a matter of time.", stated the 32-year-old officer, who had captured the 2022 and later released.
Wounds in Russian supply linesThe attack on the port took place in cooperation with Ukraine's drones and the country's Security Service (SBU).
Marked a few kilometers from the steel factory Azofstal, where the last defenders of the city surrendered after a three-month siege in 2022.
Months of attacks against main road arteries in the occupied areas of Donetsk, including Marioupoli, as part of a systematic effort to halt Russian supply lines.
Video released by the unit show drones flying over highways and rural areas in Donetsk before they hit military vehicles.
pic.twitter. com/AGGYxjfzz9— June 17, 2026
In another video, published on 8 May, footage from downtown Marioupolis and its damaged facilities are recorded Azofstal. "Azov is already patrolling her hometown, Marioupoli. For now from the air’, the unit reported features.
Today the city, whose population has been significantly reduced by the above 400,000 inhabitants who had before the war, is at the heart of Russian infrastructure projects aimed at consolidating Moscow's control in southern Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian External Information Service, Russia is expanding the port of Marioupoli to be a key economic hub, while also promoting major projection projects.
This will be true for all liberated cities. 🇷🇺💯 pic.twitter. com/4g8xW9yZuU— Aleksey The Great 🇷🇺🎖 (@aleksthgrt) June 15, 2026
The Strategy of 'Strangling'According to unit officers, the main objective of operations is to stop the transport of fuel and other critical cargoes from Russia to the front.
The large and open road arteries used to refuel Russian forces are difficult to protect. ‘There's no way to hide a fuel tanker. It's just impossible.", report unit officer.
The air defense of First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine is taking part in returning mass enomy drone attacks.
In May, the Corps' air defense units were engaged both in covering positions within the area of responsiveness and in counting strike drones.
First Corps... pic.twitter. com/gXeey6tEB— First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine (@azov media) May 30, 2026
Objectives include the M14 motorway linking the Marioupoli with Rostov, H20 road leading towards Donetsk and the regional road around the city. At the same time, the Ukrainian armed forces are intensifying the strikes against the supply lines on the so-called 'land bridge' linking Russia to Russia. Crimea.
These attacks have already caused fuel shortages on the peninsula.
Mariupol - Melitopol - Simferopol: the R-280 logistics route has been blocked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The 412th Nemesis Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in collaboration with the Defense Forces of Ukraine, is conducting a large-scale Hunt for Russian logistics in... pic.twitter. com/AcebDFimer— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko en) May 27, 2026
From voluntary battalion to strong military formationToday Azov Brigade It differs significantly from the voluntary battalion that had contributed to its recapture Marioupoli from friendly separatists in 2014.
Officially subject to the National Guard of Ukraine, he is considered one of the country's most effective combat forces and one of the most advanced units in the field of war with drones.
Last year it was upgraded to an army corps comprising six brigades, a regiment of drones and a special unit of operations. According to its administration, it now numbers tens of thousands of soldiers.
One of her basic weapons is drone Hornet, which utilizes artificial intelligence and is manufactured by the American defence technology company Perennial Autonomy, associated with its former CEO Google, Eric Schmidt. Azov operators have modified the system by installing terminals Starlink, significantly increasing its range.
For the unit, the pressure exerted on Marioupoli serves another goal: the release of more than 700 of its militants who remain in Russian prisons. "When we were prisoners, the Russians told us they wanted to destroy us completely", stated the Dmitrick. "However, in a way, this ‘destruction' continues to make Azov ever greater".