Ukraine crisis: A city in shock, but who is in control of Mariupol?

By Paul McGeough
Updated May 17 2014 - 1:23am, first published May 16 2014 - 5:46pm
Attacked: Men inspect the ruins of the central police station  in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Attacked: Men inspect the ruins of the central police station in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Sifting through debris: A man in a burnt-out bank in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Sifting through debris: A man in a burnt-out bank in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Charred remains: Two burnt police helmets among flowers left at the entrance of the police station in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Charred remains: Two burnt police helmets among flowers left at the entrance of the police station in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
At a military checkpoint: Lieutenant Igor Dumbrovsky in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
At a military checkpoint: Lieutenant Igor Dumbrovsky in Mariupol. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Pro-Russian: A rebel in front of the Mariupol council building. Photo: Kate Geraghty
Pro-Russian: A rebel in front of the Mariupol council building. Photo: Kate Geraghty

Mariupol: This is a city in dazed shock. We drive in gingerly, not sure about who, if anyone, is in control of a sprawling industrial centre that erupted in anger when Ukrainian national military forces turned their guns on the main police station last week.