Inside Mariupol

<p><i>This episode details graphic scenes. </i></p><p>Russia has mounted a brutal siege around the port city of Mariupol for more than a month, framing it as the key to a war of liberation. In reality, it’s a campaign against a city that is critical to Russia’s strategy — it would help open an important supply route and serve as a symbol of victory. </p><p>What is happening inside Mariupol, and what does the fighting mean for the future of Russia’s war on Ukraine? </p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/valerie-hopkins?smid=pc-thedaily">Valerie Hopkins</a>, a correspondent for The New York Times, currently based in Ukraine.</p><p>Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at <a href="mailto:thedaily@nytimes.com">thedaily@nytimes.com</a>. You can find more information and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/podcasts/daily-memorial-covid.html"> specific instructions here</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>In Mariupol, Russia is using hunger as a weapon of war. Residents described how they are surviving a monthlong siege of the southern port<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/mariupol-ukraine-russia-war-food-water.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> with little food and other necessities</a>.</li><li>As the war in Ukraine moves into its second month,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-combat.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> fears grow of Mariupol’s fall</a> to Russia.</li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next work