Disadvantages Faced by Ukrainian Forces

Ukrainian forces in Mariupol faced significant disadvantages at the onset of the conflict, notably in numbers and equipment compared to their Russian counterparts. The Russian military's superiority was evident from the start, as they possessed greater numbers of personnel and advanced armored vehicles. Arseny Fedasyuk recounted how the initial response to the invasion involved scrambling to evacuate personnel and supplies, as they were put on high alert upon the first rocket attacks targeting Ukrainian defenses. Despite this urgent response, the lack of aerial defenses after the destruction of key air defense systems hindered their ability to mount an effective resistance against the overwhelming air attacks they endured.