Posted on 04/21/2022 11:01:51 AM PDT by Navy Patriot
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called off an operation to storm the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariuol, where over 2,000 Ukrainian militants remain entrenched, according to the Russian military. At a meeting with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the head of state demanded that the plant be blocked so that "even a fly can’t get in or out," and another offer to surrender be made to those holed up at the facility. TASS has put together vital information on decisions made by the commander-in-chief.
Russian troops and the forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have taken control of the entire city of Mariupol except for the Azovstal plant, Shoigu reported to the president. According to the defense chief, the plant, where "the remaining nationalist militants and foreign mercenaries are ensconced," has been securely blocked. Shoigu pointed out that the Kiev regime had significantly fortified Mariupol where about 8,100 troops, militants from nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries were stationed at the time when the city was surrounded. Over 4,000 Ukrainian fighters were killed during military activities and another almost 1,500 surrendered to Russia. However, Shoigu did not reveal the number of Russian casualties.
Russian and DPR forces took every measure to protect civilian lives during the operation to liberate Mariupol, the defense minister stressed. Starting on March 21, humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and foreign nationals opened every day, Russia managed to evacuate 142,700 people and release all those who were being held hostage at the Mariupol port. The current situation in the city "makes it possible to launch activities to restore order, ensure the return of local residents and set up peaceful life," Shoigu added.
(Excerpt) Read more at tass.com ...
There are supposedly very large tunnels on multiple layers separated by 3 feet of concrete under the plant. That can hide a lot of food, water, ammunition and defenders. If they thin the perimeter, the defenders may be able to go out and attack the units surrounding it, particularly if passages lead out to the city.
I do not know if it is desperation, or simply doing the calculation.
The previous conduct of the war does not indicate concern for casulaties, it seems unlikely here.
It will take a considerable period to sort things out.
It appears there may be survivors among the defenders, who will be able to tell their side of the events.
I hope Russia never “liberates” me. I want to live.
While I understand the Deputy Mayor's desire to run the city "efficiently", I would remind him, sewage degrades forensic evidence.
Do they have ticker tape in Russia?
No, actually they publicly announced that the people holed up there...who are being used as pawns in the Zelensky-Biden low-budget WWIII...will be treated with respect. And the Russians will do that, if only because they know that they’re being watched.
This was a terrible, stupid war. All wars are stupid and generally could be avoided (unless you had somebody like Hitler in charge, and Putin is no Hitler). But wars are not about people, they’re about governments...politicians...and their egos.
Trump said this could have been solved diplomatically, and he was right.
In a few weeks we will know how accurate it is.
I have long advocated returning Illegal Aliens from Mexico by Trebuchet, (having believed the Great Wall would be completed).
A pretty common sense point of view.
“This was a terrible, stupid war. All wars are stupid and generally could be avoided (unless you had somebody like Hitler in charge, and Putin is no Hitler). But wars are not about people, they’re about governments...politicians...and their egos.
Trump said this could have been solved diplomatically, and he was right.”
You only end up in a war if you’ve lost deterrence. Under Trump we had deterrence in spades. Trump, with a “mean” Tweet could have prevented the war.
Here is an economist’s take on the war. Very interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEpk_yGjn0E&t=85s
“Apparently, the Russians are going to take their time and go through the Azovstal steel plant with a fine tooth comb.”
More like two things:
1. Putin doesn’t want the steel plant destroyed.
2. The Russian troops are taking higher than expected casualties.
If the plan moves to laying siege then at least there will be less bloodshed on both side for now.
If Putin uses nukes or chemical weapons then the year 2100 will come and go and Russia will still be a pariah.
Sounds like Stalingrad 🤪
That was and is, an Official Russian Statement, you and I do not disagree.
My "fine tooth comb" comment was regarding information and evidence, not about finding persons to mistreat.
Nope, LESS like two things.
Excellent point.
Lots of us are waiting to see the forensic evidence that the Russians say that they have.
Could it have been if Donetsk becomes independent destroying the plant would mean major industrial loss?
it is NOT absolutely zero as the entire GloboHomoNazi Global Media says it is.
“Nope, LESS like two things.”
Vi govorite po angliyski?
I’m certain Putin will comply, If you stay about a thousand miles from Russia.
The Russians will kill the defenders. Why surrender if it means almost certain death when there is always some glimmer of hope if you continue to hold out.
All those Russian soldiers who surrendered to the Germans in WWII and vice versa found this truth out the hard way. Same was true in the Pacific theater.
Putin will have no mercy on the defenders of Mariupol. You can take that to the bank and at least (unlike WWII) the defenders know this to be true so if you were faced with such a choice what would you choose?
War sucks. The young and innocent pay in blood and misery along with their mothers for the ego and whims of old men. This war is particularly bad in many respects and even the discussions here and elsewhere about it are downright ugly.
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