Shoigu informs Putin of liberation of most of Mariupol, the stronghold of Ukrainian Nazi “Azov” battalion

The Russian forces and the Donetsk People’s Republic forces liberated the city of Mariupol, the stronghold of the Ukrainian Nazi “Azov” battalion, except for the Azovstal steel plant , in which about two thousand fighters of the Nazi battalion, including foreigners, are holed up.

“Maripol was liberated by the Russian armed forces and the forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” Shoigu said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin today, adding that “the remnants of extremist nationalist formations and foreign mercenaries are completely surrounded in the factory area.”

Shoigu pointed out that during the past two days, Russia announced a ceasefire from 14:00 to 16:00, with the cessation of all hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians who may be on the territory of Azovstal.

Shoigu stated that at the moment of the encirclement of Mariupol, the number of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries amounted to about 8,100 individuals, and that during the liberation of the city, more than 4 thousand of them were killed, and 1,478 others surrendered, while the remaining group of more than two thousand militants was surrounded at the Azovstal factory.

Shoigu assured Putin that the Russian forces and units of the Donbass republics in Mariupol have taken all measures to protect civilians, clarifying that despite the obstacles set by the militants, more than 142,000 people were evacuated from Mariupol and all the hostages were released in the city’s port.

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the army not to storm the Azovstal factory, stressing the need to tighten the cordon on it.

“I consider the proposed incursion into the industrial zone as useless and order its cancellation in order to preserve the life and health of our soldiers and officers, I ask to block off this industrial area so that a fly cannot not pass through,” Putin said.

Putin announced that the elements of the Ukrainian army and extremist fighters trapped in the factory were given one last chance to surrender, and stressed that Russia would guarantee them life and decent treatment if they decided to leave the factory.

Inas Abdulkareem