The blockade of Mariupol by Russian invaders is the number one problem for the military-political leadership of Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Meri Akopyan has said.

"The all-round defense of the city of Mariupol continues. The military-political leadership of Ukraine regards the blockade of Mariupol as problem number one. It is obvious that the city is of strategic importance for the enemy in order to provide a land corridor to the occupied Crimea from the occupied territory of the south of Donetsk region, which is controlled by the Russian Federation," Akopyan is quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Sunday.

The deputy minister of internal affairs said that during the 12 days of the blockade of the city and the merciless shelling of residential areas, 1,582 civilians of Mariupol have been killed by the Russian occupation forces.

"This is revenge for the invincibility of the residents, who have been showing their pro-Ukrainian position since 2014. But this is not what the military does, but terrorists who take innocent civilians hostage," Akopyan said.