Antonia LangfordJul 24, 2026 – 8.39amFor a young Mykhailo Drapatyi, the metre-high barricade blocking his armoured fighting vehicle from entering central Mariupol was no problem.“Go!” Drapatyi, a battalion leader of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade, shouted at the driver of the tank, who floored the accelerator and launched the 18-tonne vehicle up and over the defences erected by pro-Russian separatists.The Telegraph LondonSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles