Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on claims that Ukrainian forces mined hospital facilities in Mariupol, saying that such actions do not reflect the conduct of ordinary people. This statement was reported by TASS.
During a visit to Mariupol, Putin was accompanied by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin as they toured newly developed residential districts. Khusnullin told the president that he had arrived at the hospital soon after the city’s liberation and had observed refugees living in nearby buildings, where patients were accommodated and surgeries were carried out.
He noted that all medical devices and equipment had apparently been mined, adding that such behavior is not what he would expect from normal people.
Putin responded by emphasizing that the conduct described would be unacceptable under any standard of civic behavior.
Khusnullin, who has previously reported on the situation in Mariupol to the president, stated that the local airport is undergoing reconstruction with a target timeline of completion in a few years.
At present, a special operation conducted by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation remains active in Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, President Putin announced the initiation of military actions with stated aims of demilitarizing the neighboring country and ensuring management of its leadership changes.
The decision to commence the operation has been cited as a basis for new sanctions imposed by the United States and its allied partners.