Russians again ask defenders of Mariupol to surrender

Alyona Mazurenko - Wednesday, 20 April 2022, 00:23

The Russian aggressors have again asked Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol, who are currently defending the "Azovstal" metallurgical plant, to lay down their arms and surrender.

Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

Verbatim: "The Russian Armed Forces, guided by purely humane principles, once again urges ‘combatants of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries’ to cease hostilities and lay down their arms at 14:00 on April 20, 2022."

Details: According to the aggressors’ plan, the parties should establish communication for the exchange of information at 13:00.

The Russians will allegedly declare a "complete cease fire regime" and "guarantee" its "strict" observance starting at 13:30.

The aggressors are demanding the same from Ukrainian defenders: "The actual beginning of the ceasefire by both parties will be marked by the raising of flags: red on the Russian side, white on the Ukrainian side around the perimeter of ‘Azovstal’."

The fact that the parties are ready to start a "ceasefire regime" must be confirmed through all communication channels, and Ukrainian defenders must leave "Azovstal" without weapons or ammunition at 14:00.

The aggressors are "promising" to stop hostilities around the perimeter of "Azovstal" and withdraw their formations to a safe distance.

The aggressors’ Ministry writes that they will "guarantee" to protect the lives of all those who lay down their arms, and provide them with security and medical care. 

The Russians also write that should their request be rejected, they will offer their services to evacuate civilians from Azovstal, if there are any.

This is not the first time the aggressors have asked Ukrainian fighters to surrender. They do not acknowledge that Ukrainian defenders are simply ignoring the Russian proposals. Instead, they claim that the Kyiv government is forbidding the "Azov" Regiment and Marines from surrendering.

The aggressors call civilians, including children who are hiding from the Russian invaders at "Azovstal," a "human shield" for the "nationalists."

Background: Mariupol City Council stated that Russian aggressors had been attacking "Azovstal" with bombs.

There are at least 1,000 civilians in the underground shelters of the metallurgical plant - mostly women with children and the elderly.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the elimination of Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol would put an end to negotiations with Russia.

The Russian aggressors demanded that Ukrainians in Mariupol surrender, but Ukrainian soldiers ignored these invaders’ demands.

Deputy Commander of the "Azov" Regiment Sviatoslav "Kalyna’ Palamar stated:  "We will fight, we will use every bullet we have left, but we ask our homeland to save the civilians, the wounded and take away the bodies."

On March 24, Russian troops established a "screening camp" for civilians trying to flee Mariupol in Dokuchayevsk in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region.

As of April 18, Russian aggressors have been holding at least 27,000 people in a "screening camp"  along the Manhush-Nikolske-Yalta line [near Mariupol].

More Background:

Mariupol has been under siege since March 1, and the Russians are constantly shelling it, trying to take full control of the city.

The defenders of Mariupol have no ammunition or food supply left. Part of the Marine Brigade was able to break through the Russian encirclement and join the "Azov" Regiment. They continue to defend the city. However some servicemen of the 36th Marine Brigade have been taken prisoner.