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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov thinks that with the offensive in Eastern Ukraine a new phase of the war has come. In the city of Mariupol, the steel plant was apparently attacked.
According to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia has launched a new phase of intervention in Ukraine. “I am sure it will be an important moment in all this special operation,” Lavrov said in an interview with India Today. “It is about the ‘complete liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics,'” Lavrov said. He was referring to the republics declared by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, which Russia has recognized.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also reaffirmed his country’s military goal of liberating eastern Ukraine. “We are gradually implementing our plan for the liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics,” he said. At the same time, he accused the US government and its allies of “prolonging” military intervention with arms supplies to Ukraine. Russia is taking steps “to restore a peaceful life,” Shoigu said during a televised meeting with Russian military commanders.
Ultimatum for Mariupol Steel Plant
Earlier, Russia had demanded that the Ukrainian armed forces surrender. She gave a new ultimatum to the units in the city of Mariupol. Russia’s Defense Ministry has urged all soldiers instead of “immediately lowering their weapons,” a statement said. “We appeal to all members of the Ukrainian army and foreign mercenaries: because of the cynicism of the Kiev authorities, an unenviable fate awaits them.”
Mariupol’s defenders are “guaranteed survival” if they turn in their weapons by noon. During a ceasefire between 13:00 and 15:00, “all Ukrainian armed units and foreign mercenaries could leave without weapons or ammunition.” Then their lives will be saved, they were told.
The steel plant is apparently under attack
Earlier, pro-Russian separatists had announced that the attack on the Asovstal steel plant in the port city had begun with Russian help. The Russian Defense Ministry denied that there were women, children and other civilians there. Shortly afterwards, the ministry said it was giving another chance for capitulation for “purely human reasons”. The Ukrainian government was urged to “use reason and give the fighters the necessary instructions to end this senseless confrontation.”
Like the other Mariupol fighters who surrendered, they must surrender as captives in Russia, it was said. According to this, a stable line of communication should be established between the Russian and Ukrainian sides. A ceasefire must then be established by both sides. To do this, white flags had to be hoisted at the steel plant on the Ukrainian side.
Ukraine: Russia rejects rescue corridors
Ukraine has criticized Russia for rejecting requests to set up rescue corridors in Mariupol so that residents who had sought shelter at the steel plant could come out safe. According to Russian information, about 2,500 fighters, including 400 foreign mercenaries, have been deployed at the steel plant. According to Ukrainian media, there are also about 1000 civilians in the plant.
Regarding the attack on the steel plant, pro-Russian separatist representative Eduard Bassurin told state media in Moscow that special forces had been formed and had begun work. They are supported by the Russian air force and artillery./DW
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