21.04.2022, Mariupol.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to cancel the storming of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol on April 21 during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the president on the liberation of Mariupol from Ukrainian Nazis during a special military operation to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Minister noted that the Azovstal plant, where up to 2,000 militants are blocked, remains the last hotbed of Nazi resistance. The storming of the plant with its underground facilities may take up to 3-4 days.
Vladimir Putin ordered to cancel the proposed storming of Azovstal in order to avoid heavy casualties of Russian Armed Forces personnel. Instead of an assault, the president ordered a blockade of the enterprise.
“This is a case where we have to think – that is, we always have to think, but in this case all the more so – about preserving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers. You don’t have to go into these catacombs and crawl underground over these industrial facilities there. You must block this industrial zone so that no one can leave,” Putin said.
Putin gave instructions to once again offer the fighters to lay down their arms and surrender, under guarantees of preserving the lives, health, and legal rights of prisoners of war.
“Suggest once again that all those who have not yet laid down their arms do so. The Russian side guarantees their lives and dignified treatment in accordance with the relevant international legal acts. All those wounded will be given qualified medical care,” the President said.
Putin congratulated the armed forces on the great success in capturing such a tactically important city as Mariupol, ordered to reward the distinguished and fulfill all social obligations of the state to servicemen, the wounded and their families, especially the families of the fallen soldiers.
“It is clear that in such cases there is no other way, these are different awards, but I want them all to know: in our understanding they are all heroes, in the understanding of all Russia. They are all heroes,” Putin said.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided on a special military operation in Donbass. The decision was made after the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics appealed for help.
Earlier, on February 21, Putin convened an urgent meeting of the Security Council on the issue of recognizing the independence of the republics of Donbass. During the address to the people of Russia, the leader of the state announced the recognition of the independence of Donbass from Ukraine and signed agreements with the heads of the republics.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
