Vladimir Putin has declared victory over the besieged city of Mariupol and the heroic Ukrainian fighters are still holed up in the Azovostal steel plant where 1,000 civilians are sheltering.

Putin has ordered his troops to block the steel plant “so that not even a fly comes through,” which will leave Ukrainian troops and civilians trapped inside facing starvation.

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Putin told his Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in a televised meeting at the Kremlin, “I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone unnecessary,” and “I order you to cancel it.”

The Russian President’s decision to call off the assault on the steel works is purely motivated by the desire to save the lives of Russian soldiers, most likely to save face.

Putin added, “There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities.”

Russian troops have bombed Mariupol for two months reducing the city to ruble and the steel works is the last remaining stronghold.

At the Kremlin, Putin meets with Defense Minister Shoigu, who says that Mariupol is now “liberated” except for the 2,000+ “nationalists” holed up at the Azovstal iron and steel works. https://t.co/x90qO1mSgl pic.twitter.com/NaV8JCQVib

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) April 21, 2022

The steelworks which has a maze of tunnels and is around 4 miles square has been turned into a  fortress, which is now “securely blocked,” Shoigu said.

The Russian Defence Minister claims the city has now been “liberated” and Putin has hailed this as a success.

The Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters who are holed up in the steel works have told to surrender and Putin has said they will be treated with respect and those injured will be given medical assistance.

Mariupol will be “completely under the control” of Russian forces “before lunchtime, or after lunch” Chechen warlord warns

Russia has tightened the noose around Mariupol and the Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov said, “Before lunchtime, or after lunch, Azovstal will be completely under the control of the forces of the Russian Federation.”