Russian troops preparing for defense in Mariupol – official

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"The Russian occupiers continue to strengthen their positions in Mariupol. They are installing defenses throughout the city and around it. Mostly, Russians are installing concrete pillboxes with machine guns near the bridges. They disguise them very well. Everything else in the city seems to be frozen. Everyone is waiting for a counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces," said Andriushchenko.

The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol emphasized that there is a constant rotation of Russian occupying troops in Mariupol

"There are certain movements of military equipment and personnel of the occupying Russian troops in Mariupol. If the occupiers transfer certain units from the city to the front line, others immediately take their place. They can change the location, but the total concentration of Russian units in Mariupol remains at the same level," he added.

• On May 13, Ukrainian defenders eliminated a group of Russians in the temporarily occupied Mariupol district.