Ukrainian soldiers remained entrenched in the Mariupol steelworks. But the Kremlin boss needs success stories.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced victory – at least in the battle for the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which has been under siege for weeks. At a meeting broadcast on Russian television on Thursday, Putin praised his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: “You have successfully completed the combat mission to free Mariupol. I congratulate you. And convey my congratulations to the troops as well,” said the head of the Kremlin, according to the Reuters news agency.
The supposed “liberation” left severe devastation in the port city. Images leaking from Mariupol to the outside world show apartment blocks bombed and set on fire. Wreckage and wrecked cars are on the streets.
massive bombing
The city was one of the first targets after the start of the Russian offensive on 24 February. A Russian tank advance was initially repelled.