Mariupol Ukrainian Forces Reject Final Ultimatum... Control Most of the City

by Lee Hyunwoo

Published 18 Apr.2022 07:33(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian military has completely taken control of Mariupol, a strategic point in southern Ukraine, with only some Ukrainian forces remaining in the Azovstal steel plant, where they are making their last stand. Concerns are growing that once the final resistance in Mariupol ends, the Russian military will complete the encirclement of Donbas and launch a large-scale airstrike.

On the 17th (local time), according to the Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti, the Russian military and the pro-Russian separatist forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) have jointly occupied the entire Mariupol area. The Russian military reported that about 2,500 Ukrainian troops remain, fighting in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, and that they have refused even the final ultimatum and continue to fight.

A DPR military commander claimed, "We are entering Azovstal, and we have effectively taken control of Ilyich." Mikhail Mizintsev, commander of the Russian National Defense Management Center, stated, "Considering the catastrophic situation at the Azovstal steel plant, purely on humanitarian grounds, from 6 a.m. Moscow time on the 17th, we propose that the Ukrainian nationalist units and foreign mercenaries cease hostile actions and lay down their arms," urging surrender.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued ultimatums on the 4th and the 20th of last month, demanding the Ukrainian forces lay down their weapons and leave Mariupol, but the Ukrainian troops refused. The Russian military conducted massive airstrikes on Mariupol for 53 days, destroying over 90% of the city's infrastructure and reportedly causing more than 20,000 deaths.

Mariupol is a key strategic point connecting the pro-Russian separatist-controlled areas within Donbas and the Crimean Peninsula occupied by Russia. If the Ukrainian forces' final resistance ends, Russia will succeed in encircling the entire Donbas region from the north, east, and south, raising concerns about a subsequent large-scale offensive.