Putin Ally, Head of Chechen Republic: "Mariupol to Be Captured by Russian Forces Within Today"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic leading the Chechen forces at the forefront of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, announced that the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold of Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol, will soon fall under Russian control.

According to the AP News on the 21st (local time), Kadyrov stated in a voice message posted online early that day, "Azovstal will be completely under Russian military control before or after lunchtime today." It is expected to be around 6 p.m. Korean time. Known as a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov has been leading Chechen forces as mercenaries in Ukraine to assist the Russian military since the beginning of the conflict.

The Ukrainian defenders, including the Azov Regiment, who are defending Mariupol, are making their last stand around the Azovstal steel plant, but it is reported that they have run out of weapons and ammunition, making further resistance difficult. On the same day, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, said, "We have proposed special negotiations to Russia in Mariupol," adding, "This is to save the Azov Regiment, the military, civilians, children, survivors, and the wounded."

About 2,500 Ukrainian troops remain at Azovstal, along with approximately 1,000 civilians. Serhiy Volyna, commander of the Ukrainian Marines at the steel plant, posted a video on Facebook the previous day, saying, "This may be the last message," and pleaded, "I beg world leaders to rescue us and take us to a third country."

There are concerns that atrocities more severe than those in Bucha, a city near Kyiv, may occur in Mariupol. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Panama, said at a press conference that day, "The world witnessed death, destruction, and atrocities in Bucha a few weeks ago after Russian troops withdrew," and added, "We can predict that such atrocities will also be witnessed in Mariupol, and one can imagine the situation will be even more severe."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.