With no prospect of a ceasefire in the foreseeable future, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Thursday that his troops have finally captured Mariupol in a crucial battle.
If true, this would be the biggest victory for the attacking forces in a war that has claimed thousands of Ukrainian lives.
The Russian leader in a televised meeting with his defense minister declared that the port of Mariupol has been “liberated”.
Putin believes that there was no need for a final confrontation with the last defenders who were boxed in after surviving nearly two months of siege.
“I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone unnecessary,” he said.
“There’s no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities,” he said, adding “Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can get through.”
As per a rough estimate, a total of 2,000 Ukrainian troops were holed up inside the plant.
Putin called on them to lay down their weapons and surrender, saying Russia would treat them with respect.