Change of attitude by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who while giving ultimatums to the fortified at the steel plant of Mariupol, Azofstal, to go out, now asks that “not a fly” come out of it.
In a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin canceled an order for the Russian army to invade the factory, which houses the last remaining Ukrainian troopsand ordered his exclusion so that “not even a fly” could pass.
The Russian president also told his minister that he wanted to besiege the last Ukrainian fighters fortified at the Azofstal facility because an attack would cost lives, as the zone consists mainly of an extensive network of underground galleries.
“I do not think the proposed attack on the industrial zone is appropriate. “I order it to be canceled,” Putin said.
Why did Putin change his mind?
Following this development, the BBC comments that it will soon become clear if the Russian forces really change strategy and from the bombing and the occupation attempt are limited to its simple blockade.
If so, what were the reasons for this development?
- The Russian president is looking forward to continuing his offensive in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
- The battle for Mariupol has depleted vital resources and pinned down Russian troops that could be used to pursue broader goals.
- Separated from the center of Mariupol by a river, the huge steel plant should be relatively easy to isolate, but if Putin wants to be sure that “not a fly will pass,” he will have to let significant forces guard it.
- With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowing to cancel peace talks if the city’s last defenders are killed, it is also possible that Putin wants to keep the diplomatic process alive, or at least something that looks like a bargaining chip.
The BBC also notes that there may be an economic dimension to the decision. Azofstal is one of the largest steel mills in Europe. Even after weeks of bombing, Moscow can hope that there is something worth rescuing.
Who are inside
Inside the factory is the 36th Marine Brigade. On Wednesday, its commander said his troops would not be handed over, but called for international help for the 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of women and children who he said were hiding with them at the steel plant.
Members of the Brigade were the British Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinnerwho were defending Mariupol and were arrested by Russian forces last week.
Also inside the factory is the Azov Brigade, the militia affiliated with far-right nationalists, which was later incorporated into the Ukrainian National Guard. Their number is estimated at about 900 soldiers.
It is not clear how many Ukrainian soldiers are left at the plant, although Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said there were more than 2,000.
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