Mariupol plant «Azovstal» is blocked

«The Russian and the DPR forces freed the city of Mariupol» — the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, reported to Vladimir Putin. Sergei Shoigu added that «the situation in the city is quiet». During the personal report to Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu stated the following: «Mariupol was the capital of the Ukrainian nationalist organization Azov. The city itself has been liberated, but the militants remain inside the ’Azovstal’ factory. 2,000 militants are blocked inside. 1478 have already surrendered» — end of quote. On 21st of April Vladimir Putin stated that there will be no assault on the Azovstal factory in Mariupol. The factory will be blocked. He explained it by the need to avoid casualties of Russian servicemen. It is difficult to argue with such a decision, since the factory is very well fortified.

The Ukrainian militarized terrorists tried to escape from the ’Azovstal’ factory twice — the commander of a DPR military unit with callsign «Hohol» reported to the RIA NEWS. «There were 2 attempts to escape from the «Azovstal» factory to the north. The attempts were stopped. For the most part, they were killed» — the RIA NEWS quoted his words. The Ukrainian extremists, surrounded in the factory, were given an opportunity to surrender and save their lives. They refused and continued to resist. The speaker of the Russian army, Major-General Igor Konashenkov, stated that after the request of the blocked Ukrainian terrorists to their own high command, for a permission to surrender, Kiev ordered them to shoot all those among them who want to surrender.

During an interview with the «India Today» TV channel, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, announced the start of the next phase of the Russian special operation to protect Donbass. Traditional weapons will be used during the next stage. He reminded that the goal of the Russian special operation in Ukraine is «the complete liberation of the DPR and the LPR». According to him, the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons during the special operation isn’t being considered. He reminded that after the negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, Russia, as a gesture of goodwill, changed the position of the troops. The gesture wasn’t appreciated. He added that Moscow is investigating the warcrimes, committed by the Ukrainian neo-Nazi battalions and other Ukrainian forces in Bucha. He added that the truth will be found.

The Russian Deputy Commander of the Central Military District, Major-General Rustam Minnekaev, stated that the Russian forces have begun the 2nd stage of the special operation, aimed to achieve a full control over Donbass. «The 2nd phase of the special operation in Ukraine has started 2 days ago. One of the goal of the Russian forces is to establish a full control over the Donbass region, and south of Ukraine» — he explained and added that the control over the Donbass region will allow the Russian forces to create a land corridor to Crimea. “The control over the south of Ukraine is an another way out to Transnistria. Some oppression of the Russian-speaking population took place in that region. Apparently, we are now at a war with the whole world, as it was during the Great Patriotic War. Back then, all of Europe, the whole world, was against us. Now the same thing is happening again — they never liked Russia» — he explained.

Moscow is waiting for the reaction of Kiev to the document that was sent to Ukraine — the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, stated while commenting on the progress of the negotiations. According to him — the document, sent to Ukraine, contains clearly stated demands. Dmitry Peskov noted that «the work with Ukraine leaves much to be desired». On 20th of April, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, stated that the credibility of the members of the Ukrainian delegation, who were negotiating with Russia, had been lost because they were behaving «inconsistently». The Moscow has the following key demands: the neutral and non-nuclear status of Ukraine, the recognition of the Russian ownership of Crimea, and the sovereignty of the DPR and the LPR, within the borders of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Ankara announced the launch of a new military operation against the «PKK» in north of Iraq. Turkish Special forces and the Turkish Air Force are participating in the operation. The Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, stated that «the fight will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized». According to him, the strikes are being carried out on the shelters, bunkers, tunnels, caves, and warehouses of the ’PKK’. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS