Haunting final messages of the Martyrs of Mariupol in bloody last stand against Russia – with city set to fall in HOURS

THE MARTYRS of Mariupol have vowed to fight to the death in the bloody last stand against Russia in a haunting “final message” as it’s feared the city could fall in HOURS. Major Serhiy Volyna – the commander of Ukrainian forces’ last stronghold at a steelworks in the besieged city – says troops will not surrender despite relentless blasts by Russian fighters. ReutersPutin’s forces have been besieging Mariupol since the early days of the war[/caption] ReutersIt’s feared the southern port city could fall within hours[/caption] ReutersTamara, 71, cries in front of an apartment building destroyed by Russian troops[/caption] ReutersThe final Ukrainian troops in Mariupol are holding out at the Azovstal steelworks[/caption] Putin’s army is trying to storm the Azovstal iron and steelworks where the final Ukrainian troops and civilians are holding out and using underground tunnels to stage a last stand. Major Volyna, of the 36th separate marine brigade, has insisted forces at the plant will “not lay down our weapons” despite being outnumbered ten to one. In a chilling video, he warned it could be their “last message” as Russian troops surround the area and unleash constant barrages of fire. “This is our appeal to the world. This could be our last message,” he said. Read more on Ukraine TINPOT ARMY Russia uses off-the-shelf cameras, gamepads & sat navs to fix planes & drones HUMILIATED Panicked Putin desperate for way to save face before ending invasion - oligarch “We might only have a few days or even hours remaining. “Enemy forces are 10 times bigger than ours. They have control over the air, artillery, on-ground, tanks and vehicle superiority. “We’re defending one object, the plant where Mariupol military garrison and civilians caught up by the war are located.” He also issued a rallying cry for world leaders to help evacuate wounded citizens from the battered city, where large parts have been reduced to rubble by constant air and artillery pounding. Most read in The Sun BABY ON WAY TOWIE star Nicole Bass expecting first child with mystery boyfriend RACE ROW Love Island fans slam Rebecca Gormley for ‘cultural appropriation’ after new hair LOVELY JUBBLY! Only Fools and Horses' Raquel and Cassandra unrecognisable on Loose Women still in love Love Island winners deny split after worrying fans by spending Easter apart LET LOOSE Huge row erupts on Loose Women over Meghan and Harry returning to UK for Jubilee RANG THE CHANGES Rangnick warns all Man Utd stars bar ONE are at risk of axe in overhaul “We’re addressing the world leaders to help us,” he added. “We’re asking to use the extraction procedure on us, and take us to the territory of a third country. “Mariupol military garrison has more than 500 wounded soldiers, and hundreds of civilians, including women and children. “We’re asking to provide us safety on the third country territory.” The port city, which was home to more than 450,000 people, has been under constant attack from Russian forces since early March, with satellite images showing devastation to 95 per cent of its residential areas. Amid the “hellscape”, at least 20,000 people are feared dead. Ukrainian fighters who remain in Mariupol have been offered a fresh ultimatum to surrender despite not a single soldier accepting the offer on Tuesday. ‘SEVERE AS POSSIBLE’ The Russian Defence Ministry said: “Russia’s armed forces, based purely on humanitarian principles, again propose that the fighters of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries cease their military operations from 1400 Moscow time on 20th April and lay down arms.” A similar offer had been made on Tuesday but according to the Russian Ministry of Defence not one soldier surrendered. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says “the situation in Mariupol remains as severe as possible”. It comes as up to 20,000 have reportedly been recruited from Syria and Libya after the long-feared “battle for the Donbas” erupted this week. Explosions were heard along the entire front on Monday as Putin launched a major new offensive to seize control of the east. Read More on The Sun KELSEY'S PAIN Tom Parker's wife in tears as she leads funeral for The Wanted star HAZ A NERVE Harry reveals he wants the ‘right people’ around the Queen to ‘protect’ her Ukrainian outlets reported a series of explosions in Kharkiv, Nikolaev and in the suburbs of Donetsk. And videos on social media appeared to show a blitz on towns as anti-aircraft fire lit up the night sky. Kommersant Photo / PolarisThe Martyrs of Mariupol at the steelworks have vowed to fight to the death[/caption] ReutersRescuers work at a residential building damaged in Mariupol[/caption]