Writer : Ikhsan Abdul Hakim | Editor : Ivory Persada
KIEV, KOMPAS.TV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy said the precarious situation in Mariupol could disrupt the course of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. He even threatened to end the talks if the troops in Mariupol were “crushed” by Russia.
Mariupol is reportedly on the verge of falling into Russian hands. Russian troops and Donbass separatists have been pounding and blockading the city since the beginning of the invasion.
“The destruction of all our friends in Mariupol – what they (Russia) are doing now – could end all forms of negotiations,” Zelensky was quoted as saying. Associated PressSunday (17/4/2022).
Zelensky said Ukrainian troops in Mariupol were still holding out but the situation was critical.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Ukrainian troops had been ejected from around the city. A few still survive in the Azovstal steelworks complex.
Also Read: Ukraine’s richest man promises to rebuild devastated Mariupol
Meanwhile, Denis Pushilin, the leader of the Donetsk separatist or Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) stressed that Ukrainian “nationalist” troops who were reluctant to surrender in Mariupol must be “eliminated”.
The Russians ordered the Ukrainian troops who were still holding out in Mariupol to surrender as the Russian troops took control of most of the city.
The Battle of Mariupol caused great destruction in the city and suffered trapped civilians.
Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko estimates there are around 100,000 civilians still trapped in the city.
–
