Ukraine-Russia: Vladimir Putin announces the “liberation” of Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the successful liberation of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. He asked his forces to besiege the factory where the last fighters are taking refuge, guaranteeing their lives if they surrender.

The head of the Kremlin announced the “liberation” of the city of Mariupol where Russian forces have concentrated their efforts as part of the military operation launched by Moscow in Ukraine.

There are nevertheless nearly 2,000 Ukrainian and pro-Ukrainian fighters entrenched in a gigantic metallurgical plant in Azovstal which extends over several kilometers and several underground levels.

“The end of the Mariupol liberation work is a success,” the Russian president told his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, during a meeting broadcast on television.

“I consider the proposed assault on the industrial zone to be inappropriate. I order to cancel it, ”he added canceling the plan to launch an assault against this site.

According to him, fighting on this site could cost the lives of his troops. On the contrary, he proposes to besiege it and save the lives of those who would like to surrender. “Block this whole area so that not a fly will pass”, he said in this sense.

“We must think (…) of the life and health of our soldiers and our officers, we must not enter these catacombs, and crawl underground”, said the Russian president justifying his decision to cancel the site assault.

“Propose once again to all those who have not laid down their arms to do so, the Russian side guarantees their lives and to be treated with dignity,” he added.