The Russian president ruled on Thursday that his forces had “successfully” taken control of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and ordered to besiege the remaining Ukrainian fighters rather than attack them.
“The end of the work of liberating Mariupol is a success,” Vladimir Putin told his Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, during a meeting broadcast on television.
The Russian president also informed him that he wanted to besiege the last Ukrainian fighters entrenched on the metallurgical site of Azovstal, because an assault would cost too many lives, the area being notably composed of a vast network of underground galleries.
“I consider the proposed assault on the industrial zone to be inappropriate. I order to cancel it,” Putin said.
“We must think (…) of the life and health of our soldiers and our officers, we must not enter these catacombs, and crawl underground”, he continued. “Block off this whole area so that not a fly will pass.”
This vast industrial site still houses 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers, according to the Russian Minister of Defense.
Mr. Putin has also promised life to those who surrender.
“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 said.