On the morning of Thursday, April 21, a working meeting was held in the Kremlin between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Transcript of your conversations published press service of the head of state.
Shoigu’s report
“Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and DPR People’s Militia It was published Mariupol The remnants of the formation of the nationalists took refuge in the industrial zone of the Azovstal plant.
Mariupol is a major industrial and main transport center on the Sea of Azov. In 2014, the Kyiv regime declared the city the de facto temporary capital of the Donetsk region, making it a powerful fortified area and a haven for radical Ukrainian nationalists within eight years. This is actually the capital of the “Azov” – “Azov” battalion.
A large number of heavy weapons, military equipment, including tanks, MLRS “Smerch”, “Hurricane”, high-power artillery systems, missile systems “Tochka-U” were towed to the city. Tochka-U has a range of 120 kilometers and our Taganrog is approximately 94 kilometers from Mariupol, the capital of the Southern Federal District Rostov-on-Don.
Reserves of missiles, ammunition, fuel and lubricant were created, food for long-term combat operations. The main objects of urban infrastructure, including sea port and the fairway was mined and blocked not only by mined, but also by floating cranes. “The ships there were mostly foreign ships,” he said.
According to him, during the siege on March 11, “alongside the AFU grouping and nationalist formations, the total number of sufficient foreign mercenaries was more than 8,100 people.”
“During the liberation of the city, more than 4 thousand were destroyed, 1478 surrendered, the remaining group – more than 2 thousand – was blocked in the industrial zone of the Azovstal plant.
Offering resistance, the nationalists turned nearly all residential buildings into long-term firing points. Armored vehicles and artillery were placed on the ground floors, and snipers were placed on the upper floors. Separate detachments – with ATGMs. They rounded up all the inhabitants in the middle floors and basements, turning them into human shields. They were kept both in the middle floors and in the basements. In fact, it was in every home.
The retreating Ukrainian army, nationalist battalions in Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities were met by the civilian population. Here we have recorded four such cases involving their retreat, while they retreated to cover their retreat, in any case, we have many cases when they drove people out of the basement. Meanwhile, literally four days ago, when the port area was liberated, and they drove almost everyone from high-rise buildings to the streets to hide themselves, they left behind constant destruction, including socially significant, cultural objects, ” Shoigu said. .
When liberating Mariupol, the Russian army and people’s militia units of the DPR claim that they took all measures to save the lives of civilians. “Here, at your instruction, Vladimir Vladimirovich, humanitarian corridors have been opened every day since March 21 for the evacuation of civilians and foreign citizens.
Soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and militants of the nationalist battalions were asked to lay down their weapons. Of course, their life, safety and medical care were guaranteed.
As for the planned humanitarian actions – I call them “actions”, they combined both corridors and transport supply, these were both ambulances and buses, we had days with up to 100 buses and 25-30 ambulances – we were informed and Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Irina He was in daily contact with Vereshchuk.
Diplomatic missions of foreign states applied one way or another, because their citizens were there – by the way, during these humanitarian actions many were released and expelled from Mariupol, – Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, relevant structures OSCE, International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations, They were formally informed of the time and place. And of course, at one point, we even demanded their presence, as much as was possible with the constant, constant behavior of Mariupol and the cessation of fire, of course, in order to comply with all the humanitarian rules in this chapter. By the National Battalions and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Despite their opposition – both militants and everyone else – we managed to evacuate 142,711 civilians from Mariupol, on your instruction.
All the hostages in the commercial port were released, and the communication systems of the ships, including the crews, were destroyed by their captors so that they could not contact anyone. The port is mined. The sea area is closed. I hope they have the opportunity to leave this port now.
Today, all of Mariupol is under the control of the Russian army, the DPR people’s militia and the territory of the Azovstal plant, where the remains of nationalists and foreign mercenaries are safely blocked.
In the past two days, we declared a regime of silence between 14:00 and 16:00, again at your instruction, all hostilities were completely stopped, and humanitarian corridors were opened for the exit of civilians who may be on Syrian territory. Azovstal plant. We have prepared about 90 buses and 25 ambulances for them. Naturally, keeping in mind that all this is constantly being distorted, we installed videoconferencing cameras and there was almost a live broadcast here in our control center.
Nobody left Azovstal. But other civilians, more than 100 people, were able to leave the area. There is a lot of work we do these days, perhaps with all international organisations.
At the moment, the situation in the city is calm, it allows us to begin to restore order, restore the population and establish a peaceful life. As for those who escaped from the Azovstal factory and were completely blocked there and throughout the entire perimeter, it takes about 3-4 days for us to complete this work in Azovstal, ”Shoigu said.
Putin’s orders
In response, Putin stated that he considered the proposed attack of the industrial zone inappropriate. “I order you to cancel. This is the case when we should think about protecting the life and health of our soldiers and officers – that is, we should always think about it, but in this case we should think even more.
No need to climb into these catacombs and go underground in these industrial facilities.
Close this industrial area so that the fly won’t fly,” he said.
“We invite once again everyone who has not laid down their weapons yet.
The Russian side guarantees their lives and good treatment in accordance with the relevant international legal regulations. All injured will receive qualified medical attention.
The completion of combat work to liberate Mariupol is a success. Congratulations. Give your thanks to the soldiers.
Please bid to reward our elite soldiers for government awards. It is clear that in such cases it cannot be otherwise, these are different awards, but I want them all to know: in our understanding, they are all heroes, in the understanding of all of Russia. They are all heroes,” he said.
“In this context, it is necessary to ensure that all social guarantees are fulfilled unconditionally, as well as fulfilling all social obligations towards our soldiers, especially the wounded, and the families of our deceased comrades.
But it seems to me that this is not enough. We need to think about additional support measures and, in some cases, to keep alive the memory of our comrades who have truly shown heroism and sacrificed their lives for the peaceful life of our people in Donbass, and to ensure the peaceful life and existence. Russia itself, the peaceful existence of our country. These people deserve it with their behavior and attitude towards the oath.
On the Department of Defense line, please handle it. I will give a relevant instruction to the presidential administration, I will talk with my colleagues in the regions and they will do the relevant work in the municipalities of Russia. Taking control of an important center like Mariupol in the south is, of course, a success. “I congratulate you,” said the head of state.
Special operation in Ukraine
February 24 Russia started special military operation in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation described the liberation of Donbass as its main goal.
Mariupol is located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, it is the largest city located on the coast of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov, at the mouth of the Kalmius and Kalchik rivers. As of January 1, 2021, its population is 431,859.
Since March 2022, according to local authorities, more than 90% of city buildings were destroyed during the fighting, and its urban part was occupied by soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and DPR.
Mariupol is one of the ten largest cities in Ukraine, it is the country’s most important industrial and largest economic center. This is a major port, one of the most important centers of Ukrainian metallurgy and a densely populated Greek region on the Sea of Azov.
In 2012, it was recognized by the Ukrainian government as one of the most comfortable cities to live in the country. In 2022, it was awarded the title of “Hero City” for repelling the armed offensive of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Source: Gazeta
