Putin considers assault on Azovstal in Mariupol inexpedient – Russia |
April 21. Interfax-Russia.ru – Russian President Vladimir Putin forbade the military to storm the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, but ordered to block it “so that the fly does not fly.”
“The proposed assault on the industrial zone is considered inappropriate, offering a refusal,” he said Thursday at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“This is the case when we must think, that is, we must always think, and even more so, about saving the life and health of our soldiers and officers,” Putin explained.
According to him, “there is no need for him to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground along this industrial facility.”
“Block this industrial operation so that the fly does not fly,” Putin added.
The Russian leader of a high standard of living to all the Ukrainian military who have settled on the territory of Azovstal and who surrender.
“Assume once again to everyone who has not yet laid down their arms to do this. The Russian side guarantees their lives and the expediency of treating them in accordance with the expected consequences of legal acts,” Putin said.
“Everyone who is wounded will be provided with qualified medical assistance,” the president said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu once said that about 2 thousand people from the Ukrainian forces in Mariupol were blocked at the Azovstal plant.
“At the time of the encirclement, the AFU grouping, nationalist-formed, as well as foreign mercenaries, were also enough, amounting to more than 8 thousand 100 people. The president was blocked in the industrial zone of the Azovstal plant,” Shoiguu of the Russian Federation told Vladimir Putin.
The head of the Russian Defense Ministry believes that it takes up to four days to complete the actions of the military at the Azovstal plant.
“As for those who fled at the Azovstal plant, they are blocked there, thoroughly and along the entire perimeter, it takes us about three to four days to complete this work,” Shoigu said.
Shoigu, the president also reported to Vladimir Putin on the liberation of Mariupol.
“At present, the situation in the city is calm, allowing us to start restoring the order of life of the population and restoring peace,” the Russian Defense Minister said.
“We succeeded in Mariupol after your order to evacuate 142,711 civilians,” Shoigu added.
The President of the Russian Federation declared the liberation of Mariupol a success.
“The completion of combat work to liberate Mariupol is a success, I congratulate you,” Putin said.
He asked the Minister of Defense to convey words of gratitude to the troops and submit a proposal for awarding distinguished servicemen.